Clashes erupted between stranded refugees and Polish border guards at the Polish-Belarusian border on Tuesday as the refugee crisis appears to have worsened.
According to a statement credited to Poland’s Ministry of National Defence (MOD), refugees at the Kuznica border crossing trying to cross into Poland reportedly threw stones at Polish guards, who responded by using water cannon and tear gas.
The MOD said: ‘The migrants attacked our soldiers and guards with stones and are trying to force the fence to get to the Polish territory.
‘Our forces used tear gas to thwart the aggression of migrants.’
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Africa Daily News, NewbYork reports that Marta Szymanderska from Grupa Granica, a coalition of NGOs that are responding to the humanitarian crisis at the border, told reporters that; ‘The use of force [by Poland] is completely unjustifiable because there are legal procedures which should be used from the very beginning. The actions of the Polish forces are not only illegal but also inhuman.’
It was unclear if there were any injuries among refugees, while at least one policeman was wounded.
The Polish Border Guard said: ‘Illegal migrants have been gathering at the border crossing in Kuźnica, at the Belarusian side. New groups, which so far have been squatting at the border, are joining them. An attempt to forcefully cross the border is being prepared. Everything is taking place under the supervision of Belarusian forces.’
Earlier on Tuesday, more Polish police and security forces arrived at the border to prevent what Polish authorities claimed was an attempt by refugees to illegally cross into Polish – and European Union – territory.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
