Polish-Belarusian border. The government made an important decision

After almost 90 days of operation of the buffer zone on the border between Poland and Belarus the number of attempts to cross the border illegally decreased by 64%.which – according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration – confirms the legitimacy and effectiveness of the zone’s functioning. Thus, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration signed a regulation extending for another 90 days the temporary ban on staying in a specific area in the border zone adjacent to the state border with the Republic of Belarus. The regulation will come into force on Wednesday, September 11 this year.

The area has brought concrete and good results. It is above all intended for people smugglers transporting people sent across the border– said Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, justifying the decision to expand the buffer zone.

Migration pressure is increasing on the Polish-Belarusian border

The Ministry of Interior and Administration informs that on the border between Poland and Belarus migratory pressure is increasingthat “is artificially caused by the Minsk authorities. “That element of hybrid activities“which are intended to destabilize Poland and other member states of the European Union,” the ministry reports, ensuring that the Polish authorities are taking specific measures to counter this phenomenon.

The ban on staying in a specific area of ​​the border zone adjacent to the state border with the Republic of Belarus has been in force since June 13 this year. During this period – from June 13 to September 9 this year. – The Border Guard recorded 6,130 attempts to cross the border illegally. However, in the corresponding period prior to the introduction of the zone, there were 17,030 such attempts. Thus, the number of attempts to cross the border illegally decreased by 64%.

In addition, in the period from June 13 to September 9 of this year. officers of the Podlasie Border Guard Unit throughout the unit they detained a total of 71 messengers.

Scope of the buffer zone

The zone is prohibited, as beforecovers the entire length of the border at a distance of 60.67 km, located within the territorial area of ​​the Border Guard Posts in Narewka, Białowieża, Dubicze Cerkiewne and Czeremcha. On a 44.55 km stretch, the prohibited area is 200 m from the state border. However, on the 16.12 km stretch located in the area of ​​nature reserves, the zone will be wider and will be approximately 2 km.

The prohibited zone does not include cities or tourist routes. The idea is to ensure that the effects of the restrictions introduced are as little burdensome as possible for residents, tourists and other entities carrying out professional activities.