Ahmed Bakkoura, the Coordinator of the Office for Refugees and Displaced Persons in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), expressed strong disapproval of the physical and verbal abuse and violations perpetrated by Belarusian and Polish border guard forces against asylum seekers. He emphasized that these actions are unacceptable and run counter to international laws and norms.
On Wednesday, Bakkoura highlighted that these persistent violations have a detrimental impact on the European Union’s reputation as a defender of human rights and protector of those escaping the horrors of death while seeking new opportunities for life.
Bakkoura further announced that the SOC will continue its advocacy in this regard and engage with European Union countries and institutions to prevent such violations from occurring. He pointed out that the most significant support for the Syrian people lies in addressing their core issues, implementing UN resolutions on Syria, and achieving a political transition that creates a secure and stable environment. Such an environment is crucial to enabling the safe and voluntary return of refugees, which represents the only way to stem the flow of refugees.
Reports from Syrian media have revealed that Syrian asylum seekers have faced severe mistreatment on the Belarusian-Polish border, leaving them stranded between the borders of the two countries. Rights activists have raised concerns about the violation of asylum seekers’ rights by Polish and Belarusian border guard forces, who have resorted to violence and physical abuse against them at the border between the two nations.
Rights activists have also issued warnings about the politicization of this humanitarian issue and the utilization of smuggling networks by certain entities to ensnare asylum seekers and lure them, thereby exacerbating the tragedy on both sides of the Belarusian-Polish border.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
