As Poland’s restrictive migration policies come under scrutiny, a group of five activists face trial for providing humanitarian aid to desperate refugees. The Hajnowka Five’s act of kindness sparked controversy and raised questions about the country’s stance on refugee assistance.
In March 2022, a group of five Polish activists, known as the Hajnowka Five, gave food, water, and clothing to a desperate Iraqi couple, their seven children, and an elderly Egyptian man who had been living in the woods after crossing the Belarus-Polish border. The act of kindness was not without consequence, as border patrol agents stopped them before they could reach the next closest town, leading to the five being charged with providing ‘illegal assistance‘ to refugees.
The crisis on the Belarus-Poland border has been escalating since 2021, with thousands of people from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia attempting to cross into Europe. Many have been invited to Belarus on tourist visas before being bussed directly to the Polish border. The route is one of the most popular but also one of the most treacherous.
The Belarus-Poland border crisis refers to the large influx of migrants attempting to cross into Poland from Belarus.
The situation escalated in November 2021, with thousands of people gathering at the border.
According to reports, over 20,000 migrants are stranded near the border, mostly from countries like Iraq and Syria.
The crisis has raised concerns about human trafficking, exploitation, and the need for international cooperation to address the issue.
Volunteers like the Hajnowka Five have been stepping in to help those in need, often risking their own lives and freedom. Ewa Moroz-Keczynska, one of the defendants, explained that she had seen firsthand the devastating effects of the crisis: ‘We locals are in the woods a lot. It’s where we work and relax… We met people who were suffering from malnutrition, dehydration or other ailments, some even seemed to have hidden themselves to die in peace.‘
The trial of the Hajnowka Five has been described by human rights lawyer Hanna Machinksa as ‘a shameful trial‘ and an assault on those seeking to help. Machinksa argues that the charges are an absurdly skewed interpretation of the law, designed to prosecute those who help illegals reside in Poland for financial or personal gain. The penalty for a guilty verdict can be up to five years in prison.
Machinksa rejects the argument that the law targets human trafficking, instead saying that it is about humanitarian assistance: ‘We are not talking about human trafficking here. We are talking about refusal to provide such assistance that should be a crime.‘
Humanitarian assistance refers to aid provided by governments, organizations, and individuals to alleviate human suffering in response to conflicts, natural disasters, or other crises.
It includes emergency food, shelter, medical care, and protection for vulnerable populations.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 100 million people require humanitarian assistance worldwide each year.
The primary goal is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity.
The trial has also put Poland’s restrictive migration policies under the spotlight. Prime Minister Donald Tusk‘s administration has been criticized for its hardline stance on migration, with many of his coalition supporters disappointed by the policies. The trial has highlighted the need for organizations and state institutions to provide humanitarian assistance, rather than relying on young activists who risk their own lives to help.
Poland's migration policies have undergone significant changes in recent years.
The country has implemented various measures to control immigration, including introducing a new visa system and increasing border security.
According to the Polish Ministry of Interior, in 2020, Poland received over 140,000 asylum applications, with the majority coming from Ukraine.
In response, Poland has established several migrant reception centers to provide accommodation and support services for refugees.
The country's migration policies aim to balance economic needs with national security concerns.
The next court appearance for the defendants is scheduled for May 14, exactly four days before a presidential election featuring right-wing and extreme-right candidates. As the trial continues, many are left wondering if justice will be served and if those seeking to help will be protected from prosecution.
