Reply to Petition - Tensions at the Belorussian-Polish border region

Dear Petitioners,

Thank you for your letter, in which you express concerns about the situation along Poland-
Belarus border. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the High Representative/Vice-President,
Mr Josep Borrell.

Let me reassure you we remain deeply concerned by the dire conditions migrants are facing at
the external borders of the EU with Belarus and are closely monitoring the humanitarian
situation therein. From the very onset, the EU reacted promptly and responded to the crisis
with different pillars of action.

The EU has allocated €700,000 in humanitarian funding to assist vulnerable people refugees and
migrants stranded at the border and inside the country. The EU also calls for continuous access
of humanitarian organisations from both sides to reach the refugees and migrants stranded at
the border and those located in various parts of the country and in order to provide them with
urgent assistance.

The EU is always concerned about reports of push-backs and takes any such incidents very
seriously. Member States must fully and credibly investigate all allegations, establish the facts
and take the necessary follow-up actions if and when wrongdoing is established. The situation
at the Polish border remains challenging. The EU firmly rejects attempts to instrumentalise
people for political purposes and is working closely with the Polish authorities to support them
in this complex task. Orderly, firm border management in full respect of European asylum law
and migrants’ fundamental rights is the only effective and humane way to manage this
situation.

The EU also liaises with the UN and its specialised agencies to avoid worsening of the
humanitarian situation at the border. We also continue to explore how those who do not qualify
for international protection can be safely returned to their countries of origin, with the support
of their national authorities. For those whose return is not viable, family reunification can
represent a possible option to be considered in some cases, provided that the relevant
requirements are fulfilled. The EU monitors the implementation of the Family Reunification
Directive1 by Member States. In this context, the EU does not engage in individual applications
but encourages Member States, as explained in its 2014 guidance document2, to adopt a
generous interpretation of certain provisions and flexibility where appropriate.

The EU stands with the people trapped between border forces and we will do everything in our
power to assist them. Fundamental values will continue to guide our actions, especially as
regards the protection of migrants’ human rights.