Sterczewski on the Polish-Belarusian border: The Border Guard should create reception points

Franciszek Sterczewski took part in the “Afternoon conversation” program on RMF FM. The MP from the Civic Coalition explained how talks with Andrzej Duda should have proceeded and assessed what mistakes Law and Justice had made during the election campaign. He also referred to the migration crisis and the activities of the services on the Polish-Belarusian border.

Sterczewski: The services must change their practices

The activist stated that the decisions of the Polish government so far have effectively blocked the creation of statistics related to mortality on the border with Belarus. – Contrary to the Constitution, he introduced a state of emergency, which made it impossible for aid organizations to provide help – he argued. He emphasized that the situation had not changed and that “lawlessness still prevails” in Poland.

On RMF FM he presented his plan to fight illegal migration on the Polish-Belarusian border. – What must change immediately after the formation of the new government is the change in the practice of Polish services – he admitted, emphasizing that the same rules should apply as at the border crossings with Ukraine. – The Border Guard should create reception points and cooperate with aid organizations – he continued.

KO MP on the fight against illegal migration

Sterczewski said that officers should first provide help to people and only then check who “has the right to international protection.” He added that solving the humanitarian crisis requires the active participation of the European Union and transnational cooperation. – We must remember that this is not only the Polish border, it is the Schengen border, the EU border (…) It is about financing the protection of this border and financing aid, he explained.

The KO MP also mentioned other methods that can help the services. – First, monitoring. So far, unfortunately, contrary to the declarations of the Polish government, there has been no control – he said, emphasizing that “the fence does not work.” He also declared that it is necessary to “treat these people in accordance with the law”, i.e. the Geneva Convention and the basis for asylum policy included therein.