Posted:
16.09.2021 14:40:00
To run away from horror — to end up in a nightmare
Poles have left Afghanistan’s citizens to slowly die of thirst, hunger and cold
![]()
Afghan refugees still hope for the European Union dream to come true
Mohammad and his companions in misfortune fled Afghanistan about a month ago. They do not share how exactly they got to alluring Europe but — logically — they travelled by land: there were only American planes in the airspace of Afghanistan. Back at home these future migrants destroyed all their documents, including passports. People were fleeing from the death that threatened them with the coming to power of the Taliban, but they jumped out of the fire and into the flames…
On the territory of Poland, a few kilometres from the border (this was not even at the point of crossing!), Polish border guards found the refugees — and all the pretentious EU statements about human rights and the rule of law there turned out to be worth nothing.
Instead of proceedings and identification, accepting an application for official refugee status, consideration and, if necessary, deportation, the foreign citizens were driven to the border — like animals. They aimed to push these people out of Poland, so that it would a problem for Belarus…
Belarusian border guards stopped an attempt to illegally cross the border and, at the moment, the Afghans are forced to live on the territory of Poland — a step away from the Belarusian border. Actually, this ‘life’ could hardly be called such: up to 5-8 men have to share two-man tents they have brought with them. Meanwhile, comfortable and spacious army tents, equipped by Poles with all the amenities for themselves, are seen in the background.
An Alfa Radio reporter, German Bystrov, visited the Belarusian-Polish border. Mohammad (who, by the way, was a graphic designer in his native country) showed a bottle of water that had to be collected in the river under guard. “It’s dirty. It has a lot of sand and stones in it... Secondly, we don’t have a place for a toilet. This space [pointing with his hand] is for men, and this is one — for women. Our situation is very, very bad, I don’t know what the UN is thinking about.”
Previously, human rights activists, journalists, and volunteers were allowed to visit the migrant camp from the Polish side, who handed over water, food, and the most necessary things. Mohammad showed a thin sleeping bag — even with a warm blanket handed over by the Belarusian Red Cross Society, it does not save him from the night cold.
Now the Poles have banned helping refugees, and to be sure, they have reinforced the ban with an additional police cordon. There’s now nowhere to get food and water from. All that the Belarusian border guards can do in this situation, seeing the suffering of people — is to share their rations with them…
Poland, apparently, is more concerned about the welfare of wild animals, for which it has even equipped a special atraumatic fence at the border.
...Graphic designer Mohammad and other unwitting camp residents want to get asylum in Poland. Their applications have been considered for more than two weeks. The men are still hoping for the fulfilment of the European Union dream and, just in case, they avoid answering the question about whether they were beaten. They are afraid that a careless word will worsen the situation. Although where can they go next?
TO ACT PROACTIVELY
Afghanistan and the possible threats associated with it are now at the forefront and on the agenda of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation. Recently, following the results of the 19th meeting of the Interstate Commission on Military-Economic Co-operation, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, the Chairman of the Commission, Yuri Borisov, noted, “We have made serious progress in terms of equipping the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the CSTO. I hope that it will be signed during the meeting of the heads of state on September 16th.”
A number of other signed documents should contribute to the joint actions of the CSTO countries in ensuring collective security. This area, according to Mr. Borisov, is especially relevant in connection with the acute situation in Central Asia, “We have assessed the availability of forces and means that can be involved if necessary. Threats may be related to the penetration of terrorist groups. These issues require appropriate preparation and strengthening of our borders. We have enough forces and means for this today.”
MEANWHILE
Belarusian border guards have discovered refugees displaced by the Polish side — as the State Border Committee has informed BelTA. The report reads: ‘Taking into account the distribution of the video by the Polish Border Guard, we have announced that Belarusian border guards have discovered several refugees who were displaced by the Polish side. The footage shows that the Belarusian side is taking away several refugees who are asking for help’.
Due to the fact that some refugees were not feeling well, they were taken to a medical facility by official transport to provide assistance.
By Varvara Morozova
Afghan refugees still hope for the European Union dream to come true Mohammad and his companions in misfortune fled Afghanistan about a month ago. They do not share how exactly they got to alluring Europe but — logically — they travelled by land: there were only American planes in the airspace of Afghanistan. Back at home these future migrants destroyed all their documents, including passports. People were fleeing from the death that threatened them with the coming to power of the Taliban, but they jumped out of the fire and into the flames…
On the territory of Poland, a few kilometres from the border (this was not even at the point of crossing!), Polish border guards found the refugees — and all the pretentious EU statements about human rights and the rule of law there turned out to be worth nothing.
Instead of proceedings and identification, accepting an application for official refugee status, consideration and, if necessary, deportation, the foreign citizens were driven to the border — like animals. They aimed to push these people out of Poland, so that it would a problem for Belarus…
Belarusian border guards stopped an attempt to illegally cross the border and, at the moment, the Afghans are forced to live on the territory of Poland — a step away from the Belarusian border. Actually, this ‘life’ could hardly be called such: up to 5-8 men have to share two-man tents they have brought with them. Meanwhile, comfortable and spacious army tents, equipped by Poles with all the amenities for themselves, are seen in the background.
An Alfa Radio reporter, German Bystrov, visited the Belarusian-Polish border. Mohammad (who, by the way, was a graphic designer in his native country) showed a bottle of water that had to be collected in the river under guard. “It’s dirty. It has a lot of sand and stones in it... Secondly, we don’t have a place for a toilet. This space [pointing with his hand] is for men, and this is one — for women. Our situation is very, very bad, I don’t know what the UN is thinking about.”
Previously, human rights activists, journalists, and volunteers were allowed to visit the migrant camp from the Polish side, who handed over water, food, and the most necessary things. Mohammad showed a thin sleeping bag — even with a warm blanket handed over by the Belarusian Red Cross Society, it does not save him from the night cold.
Now the Poles have banned helping refugees, and to be sure, they have reinforced the ban with an additional police cordon. There’s now nowhere to get food and water from. All that the Belarusian border guards can do in this situation, seeing the suffering of people — is to share their rations with them…
Poland, apparently, is more concerned about the welfare of wild animals, for which it has even equipped a special atraumatic fence at the border.
...Graphic designer Mohammad and other unwitting camp residents want to get asylum in Poland. Their applications have been considered for more than two weeks. The men are still hoping for the fulfilment of the European Union dream and, just in case, they avoid answering the question about whether they were beaten. They are afraid that a careless word will worsen the situation. Although where can they go next?
TO ACT PROACTIVELY
Afghanistan and the possible threats associated with it are now at the forefront and on the agenda of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation. Recently, following the results of the 19th meeting of the Interstate Commission on Military-Economic Co-operation, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, the Chairman of the Commission, Yuri Borisov, noted, “We have made serious progress in terms of equipping the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the CSTO. I hope that it will be signed during the meeting of the heads of state on September 16th.”
A number of other signed documents should contribute to the joint actions of the CSTO countries in ensuring collective security. This area, according to Mr. Borisov, is especially relevant in connection with the acute situation in Central Asia, “We have assessed the availability of forces and means that can be involved if necessary. Threats may be related to the penetration of terrorist groups. These issues require appropriate preparation and strengthening of our borders. We have enough forces and means for this today.”
MEANWHILE
Belarusian border guards have discovered refugees displaced by the Polish side — as the State Border Committee has informed BelTA. The report reads: ‘Taking into account the distribution of the video by the Polish Border Guard, we have announced that Belarusian border guards have discovered several refugees who were displaced by the Polish side. The footage shows that the Belarusian side is taking away several refugees who are asking for help’.
Due to the fact that some refugees were not feeling well, they were taken to a medical facility by official transport to provide assistance.
By Varvara Morozova
