Protests erupt on Polish-German border over migrant deportations

Hundreds of people protested on the Polish-German border against Germany’s deportations of migrants and asylum seekers to Poland.

The demonstration, organized by nationalist leader Robert Bąkiewicz, drew attention to the practice of Germany returning migrants to Poland under the Dublin Regulation, which requires asylum seekers to remain in the country where they first applied, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Bąkiewicz, a former PiS parliamentary candidate, declared that “Germany is waging a hybrid war against Poland,” accusing the EU and Germany of using migrants to “destroy the Polish state and the Polish nation.” The protest, titled “Stop Germany from flooding Poland with migrants,” took place on March 22 at a bridge connecting Zgorzelec in Poland with Görlitz in Germany.

Protesters carried banners reading “Germany, don’t leave your guests on our doorstep,” “Christian Poland, not Muslim,” and “Stop relocations.” They chanted “This is Poland” and “Down with the European Union.”

The protest received support from Poland’s national-conservative opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS). PiS presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki thanked Polish patriots for “guarding the border,” criticizing the Polish government for not fulfilling its duty to protect the western border. However, the actual number of attendees was likely in the hundreds, despite organizers claiming thousands.

Among the protesters, a small group wearing face coverings and displaying extremist symbols, including the Celtic cross, caused controversy. These individuals were criticized by other participants as provocateurs. Bąkiewicz later distanced himself from the extremists, claiming they were “provocations” and accusing the police of refusing to remove them.

The protests come as Germany continues its policy of deporting asylum seekers to Poland, with border controls reintroduced in 2023. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has criticized Germany’s actions, suggesting Poland may stop complying with the Dublin Regulation and other agreements on migrant returns.

Bąkiewicz has demanded an apology from German tabloid Bild for labeling him an “extremist,” threatening legal action over what he called “false statements.”

By Vafa Guliyeva