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Poland – Belarus: Border refugee drama continues with no visible way out of crisis

The Polish border guard estimated today that 3,000 to 4,000 migrants and refugees are currently on the Belarusian side of the border with Poland and that more continue to arrive there daily.

The largest camp set up, with more than 1,000 people, is located across the street from the Polish city of Kuznika.

“The magnitude of the problem is not diminishing,” Katarzyna Zdanovic, a spokeswoman for the Polish border guard in the eastern Podlasie region, told AFP.

According to her, the Belarusian forces are giving wood and water to the migrants in the camps they have set up.

“We see that they are preparing to stay here longer,” he added.

Zdanovic said a “very aggressive” group of about 100 migrants tried to cross the border on Thursday.

“They were throwing stones and pieces of wood at the fence and at the police. We managed to stop them,” he said.

According to the spokeswoman, the Belarusian forces are transporting migrants to the border and monitoring them. They are also trying to disrupt the work of Polish border guards, especially by using lasers.

The EU accuses the Belarussian regime of orchestrating the immigration crisis in retaliation for EU sanctions.

Immigrant aid charities have strongly criticized Belarus, but also the uncompromising attitude of the Polish authorities, calling for a more humanitarian response.

Asked about the repatriated migrants to Belarus, Zdanovic said that 1,122 migrants have been repatriated since the beginning of October, following the entry into force of the law legitimizing this controversial process.

According to the spokeswoman, these migrants “receive medical assistance, if they need it, as well as clothes, food and blankets”.

Polish authorities have banned journalists and charities from entering the area right next to the border, in accordance with the rules of the state of emergency declared by the authorities there.

SOURCE: AMPE

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Source From: Capital

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