Poland drops proposal to criminalise providing help to illegal migrants following outcry
Activists claimed that the law could have exposed volunteers helping migrants at the Belarus border to up to three years in prison.
Poland's interior ministry has dropped a plan to make it a criminal offense to assist illegal migrants, following widespread backlash. The proposal, which could have resulted in up to three years of imprisonment, was criticized by human rights organizations and even some government officials. Critics argued that the measure would criminalize humanitarian aid, such as providing food, water, medical treatment, clothing or shelter to migrants who have entered Poland illegally from Belarus.
The amendment, intended to target migrant smuggling, was deemed by activists to potentially criminalize legitimate aid efforts. The ministry later withdrew the proposal, stating that its goal was to strengthen the system and target smugglers, rather than punish those providing humanitarian assistance.
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