Poland: Confederation party leaders demand action against ‘humanitarian’ groups assisting migrants at border

The right-wing party called for an “end to anti-Polish activities by NGOs” at the Belarusian border

Polish border guards patrol the area of a metal wall on the border between Poland and Belarus, near Kuznice, Poland, on June 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk, File)
By Grzegorz Adamczyk
2 Min Read

During a press conference at the Polish parliament, one of the right-wing Confederation leaders and MEP Grzegorz Braun accused non-governmental organizations of facilitating migrant smuggling into Poland.

Braun detailed ongoing incidents at the border with Belarus, where foreign nationals from various African and Middle Eastern countries have been involved in near-daily attempts to illegally cross into Poland and incidents involving attacks on Polish military and border personnel. To counter these activities, the government has implemented measures, including the use of weapons and the establishment of a buffer zone.

Braun voiced concerns about the operations of organizations that self-identify as “humanitarian,” claiming they are part of an “anti-Polish diversion” that complicates the urgent tasks of border services and is influenced by foreign funding sources.

“These organizations, drawing from sources including foreign funding, are conducting activities against our services, military and Border Guard,” said Braun.

He specifically mentioned the “Grupa Granica” or Group Border, an organization “pointing out gaps in the border security system to illegal immigrants.”

“This is not a game of hide and seek; it’s a diversion and a criminal act,” the MEP added.

The MEP expressed uncertainty about the origins of Grupa Granica and called on state services to investigate its funding, particularly by the Stefan Batory Foundation, “created under the inspiration of the world-renowned philanthropist (George) Soros.”

Braun appealed for a legal framework in Poland similar to that in the U.S., where lobbying organizations are clearly defined by law.

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