Suspension the right to apply for international protection in Poland
In March 2025 Polish government has suspended the right to apply for international protection in Poland along the Polish-Belarusian border for 60 days. Recently this period was extended by another 60 days. With the consent of the parliament, this period can be extended indefinitely. Currently, this law is still in place, and applying for international protection is suspended. The law provides an exception for vulnerable groups, such as pregnant people, unaccompanied minors and people with serious health problems, but these exceptions are often not respected by the authorities. If you meet a border guard and say that you want to apply for international protection, he will send you back to Belarus.
International Protection interviews:
When applying for protection, it is very important that you tell the main reasons why you had to leave your country - what was happening or could happen if you didn’t leave that was a threat to your life, health or freedom. And why you cannot return to your country and ask local authorities for protection.
On your first talk you don’t need to tell everything in detail, but it’s important to mention it. There will be a second talk, some time later, when you will be placed in a camp (both open and close) where you will be summoned by Foreigner Office for a status interview.
On the first talk, Border Guard officer will ask you about violence that happened to you: physical, psychological or sexual. If you have ever or anywhere - in your country, while on the move or in Belarus - experienced any kind of violence (intimidation, blackmail, beating, being forced to do anything you don’t want) - it’s important to mention about it each time.
Translator of your mother-tongue should be present during this procedures. Ask this person to help you check what is written in Polish in the protocol, and never sign anything you don’t understand or agree with.
Depending on what the court decides, you will end up in a closed or open camp.
Deportations:
Since 2025 Poland can more easily deport people for all countries except Ukraine. This means that people within asylum procedure still can be deported.
Interim measure:
Interim measure is a temporary ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, prohibiting Poland from pushing you back to Belarus. The waiting time for the ruling is from several hours to two days.
There is no guarantee that the ruling will be positive and whether the Border Guards will respect it.
To apply to the Court, you need to answer 14 questions, a short written interview about you and reason of leaving country of origin. It has to be send to a lawyer who will take care of your case.