Poland PM plans to suspend right to asylum as part of new migration policy

Poland's leader said Saturday that he plans to temporarily suspend the right to asylum as part of a new migration policy, pointing to its alleged abuse by eastern neighbour Belarus and Russia.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the state must regain 100 per cent of the control over who enters and leaves Poland, and that a territorial suspension of the right to asylum will be part of a strategy that will be presented to a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Polish news agency PAP reported.

He didn't give details, but said at a convention of his Civic Coalition that we will reduce illegal migration in Poland to a minimum."

Poland has struggled with migration pressures on its border with Belarus since 2021. Successive Polish governments have accused Belarus and Russia of luring migrants from the Middle East and Africa there to destabilise the West.

Tusk pointed to alleged misuse of the right to asylum by (Belarusian President Alexander) Lukashenko, by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, by