Polish Sejm allows security forces to use weapons with impunity on border with Belarus

The Polish Sejm has allowed security forces to use weapons with impunity on the border with Belarus Victoria Kulzhenko

Polish security forces can use weapons/Collage by Channel 24

Belarus is an ally of Russia, although it does not take direct part in a full-scale war. There were also provocations on the border with Poland earlier, so they allowed the use of weapons in the border area.

The Polish Sejm has voted to allow security forces to use lethal force with impunity in response to active threats, including on the border with Belarus.

Poland blames Minsk

The Council of Europe and other human rights groups and activists are concerned that police, border guards and soldiers will now be able to act – or even kill – with impunity.

The bill, however, still requires the president's signature. It was introduced after a Polish soldier was fatally stabbed on the Belarusian border.

Poland has accused Minsk of diverting thousands of migrants to the Belarusian-Polish border.

The new legislation “de-criminalizes the use of weapons or direct force in violation of the rules” by security forces if there was a threat to the security of a person or the country.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty believes that the bill could “contribute to a lack of accountability and demonstrate a lack of commitment to human rights obligations.”

He said the bill could create a legal and policy framework that would prevent state agents deployed in border areas or other situations within their borders competence, to act in compliance with the rules of proportionality in the use of force and firearms.

Polish lawyer and activist Anna Maczyńska said that “the issue of national security cannot be a carte blanche for actions that violate human rights.”

Earlier this month, Poland said it would strengthen its military presence and defensive fortifications along the Belarusian border. It explained this by constant provocations.