Eastern EU countries may restrict asylum rights due to weaponised migration by Russia
Eastern EU member states can temporarily restrict the right to asylum under certain conditions if Russia and Belarus are found to be using migrants to destabilise them, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
"This situation is so exceptional that member states may temporarily restrict the exercise of the right to asylum, but under strict conditions and within legal limits. It must be exceptional, temporary, proportionate and for clearly defined cases," said Commission vice-president for Security and Semocracy Henna Virkkunen.
Virkkunen said the threat on the eastern external borders had reached a new level, justifying exceptional measures. "We know that Russia and Belarus are organising this migration in order to destabilise our societies," she said. "We cannot accept that. We support member states in defending our borders."
Russian visas
This year, the number of irregular border crossings between Belarus and the EU has increased by 66 per cent compared to last year, with 90 per cent carrying Russian visas. "We know that the Russian and Belarusian authorities equip these migrants with tools and use violence against border guards. They really use them as weapons," Virkkunen said.
Poland, which shares a border with Belarus, is particularly under pressure from the recent border crossings. Prime minister Donald Tusk asked to be able to temporarily suspend the right to asylum and was backed by leaders of the other member states at a summit in Brussels in October.
"Russia and Belarus cannot be allowed to abuse our values, including the right to asylum, and undermine our democracies," the summit concluded. "Exceptional situations require exceptional measures".
"Russia and Belarus cannot be allowed to abuse our values"
The Commission also announced that it was releasing additional funds to guard the eastern external borders. Poland, Finland, Norway and the Baltic states will receive a total of 170 million euros to upgrade electronic surveillance equipment, deploy mobile detection devices and counter drone incursions.
© PHOTO WOJTEK RADWANSKI / AFP
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