Joshua Askew is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

A Polish soldier shoots a Syrian refugee allegedly after 'tripping'

08 Nov 2023  |  es.euronews.com  |  Spanish  |  Human Rights

A Syrian refugee was shot near the Poland-Belarus border by a Polish soldier who allegedly tripped. The incident is under investigation by military police. The refugee, now hospitalized, is receiving legal and psychological aid from the NGO Grupa Granica. Another Syrian man's body was found nearby, though the incidents are not believed to be related. The shooting highlights the ongoing migration crisis in Eastern Europe, with Poland and Lithuania accusing Belarus of facilitating illegal crossings as a form of hybrid warfare. Polish border guards have faced accusations of illegally pushing migrants back to Belarus, raising human rights concerns.

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Polish Border Guard Polish Military Grupa Granica Belarusian Officials

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I am journalist based in Warsaw, Poland.
Over 25 of experience in media. I wrote for newspapers (Gazeta Wyborcza, Rzeczpospolia), magazines (PRESS, SENS, Slużba Zdrowia, websites/ online media (OKO.press) and others. 
In last years mostly I write for OKO.press - polish well know online media team ...

Activist: 'A shot was fired in my direction'. Border Guard: 'How do you know that noise was a shot?'

10 Nov 2023  |  oko.press  |  Polish  |  Police and Security Forces

An activist, Mariusz Kurnyta, claims a shot was fired in his direction by a Border Guard officer during a patrol in a forest near the Polish-Belarusian border. The Border Guard denies using live ammunition, stating no official weapons were fired. The incident follows a previous shooting where a Syrian migrant was injured. The activist accuses the Border Guard of lying and misconduct, while the Border Guard maintains their actions were justified. The case has been reported to the prosecutor's office for further investigation.

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Polish Police Polish Border Guard Podlaskie Volunteer Humanitarian Aid

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Magdalena Chodownik is an award-winning journalist based in Warsaw, Poland.

Poland reintroduces controls on the border with Slovakia amid election campaign

06 Oct 2023  |  es.euronews.com  |  Spanish  |  Election Campaign

Poland has reintroduced border controls with Slovakia for ten days due to an increase in irregular migrants from the Balkans route. Over 1,800 people have been detained, with significant numbers in the Silesia region. Migration experts and humanitarian workers criticize the handling of migrants' rights and the effectiveness of actions taken. The move is seen as part of a coordinated effort amid Poland's election campaign, with similar measures in the Czech Republic, Austria, and increased patrols in Germany. The issue of migration and border control remains a significant topic in Poland and the EU.

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Slovak Border Guard Polish Border Guard Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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I’m an experienced foreign correspondent, and work for some of the world’s leading English-language news publications. For a number of years I’ve covered Central Europe for the UK’s The Telegraph, and also write about the area and Eastern Europe for The Scotsman. In addition to this I write ...

Polish truckers block border to Ukraine over claims of unfair EU support

27 Nov 2023  |  The Telegraph  |  English  |  Transport and Logistics

Polish truckers and farmers have initiated a blockade at the Medyka border crossing with Ukraine, demanding the reinstatement of transport permit quotas for Ukrainian lorries. The protest, which began on November 6, has expanded to multiple crossings, causing significant delays and impacting Ukraine's wartime economy by obstructing exports and essential supplies. Ukrainian officials, including Lviv's mayor, have criticized the blockade for hindering humanitarian aid, while Polish protest leaders argue they are disadvantaged by cheaper Ukrainian transport services. The situation remains tense, with potential for escalation if demands are not met.

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Polish Border Guard Polish Committee to Protect Transporters and Transport Employers Ukrainian Government

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Piotr Drabik - journalist with more than 10 years’ experience in media - in newspaper (“Dziennik Polski”), news television (TVN24), and radio (Radio ZET). Now he's working in RadioZET.pl, where I’m a part of the news team, and I'm a managing editor of a weekend online magazine. Moreover, from ...

Poland: Fence in the Swamp

29 Feb 2024  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  Human Rights

The article discusses the humanitarian crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border, focusing on the challenges faced by migrants and the efforts of volunteers like Aleksandra Gnap. It highlights the construction and perceived ineffectiveness of the border fence, the Polish government's controversial pushback policies, and the potential for policy changes under the new pro-European coalition led by Donald Tusk. The article also touches on the broader geopolitical tensions involving Belarus and the EU.

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Polish Government Polish Border Guard Podlaskie Voluntary Humanitarian Emergency Service EU Frontex

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Multilingual journalist with over 10 years of experience working for media outlets such as Agencia EFE (Spain), Channel News Asia (Singapore), Caracol (Colombia), and TRT (Turkey). Covered several wars, multiple elections, and two football World Cups.

Now based in Buenos Aires after working for ...

The Green Lights of Solidarity

01 Apr 2024  |  www.revista5w.com  |  Spanish  |  Human Rights

In early September, Poland declared a state of emergency along its border with Belarus due to the arrival of thousands of migrants. A three-kilometer-wide strip along the 400-kilometer border was off-limits to anyone except residents, police, military, or members of the Polish Border Guard. Although the state of emergency is no longer in effect, a new law passed by the Polish parliament at the end of November has extended the prohibition of access to this border for three more months. The current situation is very different from a month ago when images of thousands of people crowded on the Belarusian side of the border were arriving. The number of arrivals has drastically reduced following pressure from the EU on Belarus.

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Polish Border Guard European Union

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Tim Gosling is a journalist, editor and analyst based in the Czech Republic. He covers politics, business, current affairs and football across Central & Eastern Europe. Regular bylines for Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, Foreign Policy, Politico, The Times. He provides political and economic analysis ...

Democracy Digest: Poland’s Election to Take Place on Oct 15 Amid Security Fears

11 Aug 2023  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  Rape

Poland's upcoming election on October 15 is overshadowed by security concerns, particularly on its eastern border with Belarus, where Wagner mercenaries are present. The Polish government faces criticism for its handling of recent border incursions and rising migration. In Czechia, state-controlled energy giant CEZ plans to expand its gas network, reflecting a broader European trend towards increased state control in the energy sector. Controversial remarks by Czechia's top policeman about rape reports have sparked backlash amid ongoing debates over the Istanbul Convention. Hungary's president has finally approved Sandor Fegyir as Ukraine's ambassador, while the Sziget Festival implements price caps amid rising food costs. In Slovakia, corruption charges against ex-interior minister Robert Kalinak have been dropped, and the far-right LSNS party is ordered to apologize to liberal politician Irena Bihariova for spreading misinformation.

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Polish Border Guard Polish Government Wagner Group Pirate Party Smer LSNS Republika

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I'm a multimedia reporter and writer. I have covered social change, conflict and rights in more than ten countries across the Middle East and Europe while based out of London, Rome and the West Bank.

I'm experienced across all aspects of digital journalism - from filing breaking news to ...

A tale of two borders: Poland's hunt for 'unwanted' refugees is still on

08 Apr 2022  |  Muslims in Italy struggle to bury victims of the pandemic  |  English  |  International Relations

In Poland, volunteers from the refugee rights organization Ocalenie are providing aid to refugees like Mahdi and Abubakar, who crossed the border from Belarus. Despite Poland's welcoming stance towards Ukrainian refugees, the government has been criticized for its treatment of refugees from other countries, including plans to build a wall on the Belarusian border and allegations of illegal pushbacks by the Polish Border Guard. Activists face prosecution for aiding refugees, and the European Court of Human Rights intervenes to prevent pushbacks. The situation reflects a broader political game with deadly consequences for asylum seekers.

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Polish Border Guard Ocalenie European Court of Human Rights UNHCR Red Cross

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I am a fixer with extensive expertise in building and developing networks throughout the Middle East. I specialize in delivering exclusive news related to conflicts, civil wars, and extremist groups across the region. My work spans Iraq, Kurdistan, Yemen, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Lebanon, Iran, and ...

Russian Roulette: EU Dreams of Migrants Now Come Through Moscow

19 Dec 2022  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  Human Smuggling

Migrants attempting to enter the EU are now using a new variation of the Eastern Land Route, flying to Moscow and then traveling to the Belarus-EU border, circumventing previous EU efforts to close routes through Minsk. This change follows EU pressure on third countries and airlines to reduce flights carrying migrants to Minsk. Despite the EU's intervention, Polish NGOs and the Polish Border Guard have noticed an increase in migrants with Russian visas. These migrants often face a perilous journey, with smugglers guiding them from Moscow to the EU border, and many experiencing violence, theft, and the risk of death. The Polish Border Guard has reported over 2,000 attempted entries via the Belarus-Polish border in recent months. The article details the process of obtaining Russian visas, the involvement of smugglers, and the dangers migrants face on this route.

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Polish Border Guard European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex

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James Jackson is a multimedia journalist based in Berlin, Germany. 

James is a self-starting media professional who is comfortable writing news, specialist reports dispatches, op-eds and features. A native English speaker, he is fluent in German and Spanish and covers Central Europe for outlets ...

Dispatch from Podlaskie In Poland’s Wild East, Tatar culture is alive and well

13 Oct 2023  |  meduza.io  |  English  |  Migration Crisis

The article explores the rich Tatar culture in Poland's Podlaskie region, highlighting the historical and contemporary significance of the Tatar community. It delves into the cultural diversity of the region, contrasting it with the nationalist rhetoric ahead of Poland's parliamentary elections. The piece also covers the humanitarian crisis at the Belarus-Poland border, focusing on the efforts of local Tatar leaders to aid migrants and the challenges they face. The narrative underscores the resilience and historical contributions of the Tatars, while critiquing the current political climate and its impact on migration and cultural diversity.

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Polish Border Guards Polish Government Belarusian Government

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Linas Jegelevicius is a journalist based in Klaipeda, Lithuania, also available for work in capital city Vilnius and in Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city. Having spent 10 years in the US, Linas is proficient in English and as the proof of this is his current position as editor-in-chief of The ...

Poland now says it will deploy 10,000 troops to Belarus border

10 Aug 2023  |  www.intellinews.com  |  English  |  International Relations

Poland will deploy 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus to support the Border Guard, with 4,000 directly assisting and 6,000 in reserve, as announced by Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak. This move aims to deter potential aggression from Belarus, which has seen an influx of Wagner Group mercenaries. Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Wąsik previously stated that 2,000 additional troops would be sent to the border. The deployment follows increased illegal border crossings from Belarus, primarily by migrants from the Middle East and Africa. Belarus continues military exercises near the border, with President Alexander Lukashenko claiming to restrain Wagner fighters from attacking Poland.

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Border Guard Polish Army Wagner Group

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Michal Kranz is a journalist based in New York City.

Will Poland’s Border Emergency Become Permanent?

11 Jan 2022  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  Humanitarian Issues

The article explores the ongoing migration and security crisis at the Poland-Belarus border, highlighting the Polish government's state of emergency and its implications. It details the humanitarian challenges faced by migrants and the local residents' mixed reactions to the militarization of the area. The article also discusses the political motivations behind Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko's actions and the Polish government's control over information. Key stakeholders include the Polish and Belarusian border guards, humanitarian organizations like Grupa Granica and Doctors Without Borders, and local residents affected by the crisis.

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Polish government Belarusian Border Guard Polish Border Guard Grupa Granica Doctors Without Borders

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Rafal Niedzielski is a journalist based in Warsaw, Poland.
I have worked as freelance videojournalist for Reuters, Associaed Press and other global news agencies. I'm reporter and editor for news departments at major Polish TV companies also cooperate with TV news departments outside Poland as a ...

Polish minister says reinforcement at the border with Belarus is due to hostile rhetoric and actions

12 Aug 2023  |  The Independent  |  English  |  Military

Poland has increased its military presence at the Belarus border in response to perceived threats and provocations from Belarus and Russia. Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak emphasized that the move is a deterrent, not an act of aggression. The buildup includes up to 10,000 troops and is part of Poland's broader strategy to enhance national security amid upcoming parliamentary elections. The article highlights the geopolitical tensions involving Poland, Belarus, and Russia, with Poland being a strong advocate for Ukraine and facing accusations from Moscow. The presence of Russian-linked mercenaries and migrants at the border further complicates the situation.

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Border Guards Polish Army Territorial Defense Law and Justice Kremlin EU NATO

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Kaja Puto (b. 1990) - Polish journalist and editor who writes on Eastern Europe, nationalism and migration. She studied culture studies, history and philosophy in Kraków, Tbilisi and Berlin. Member of Krytyka Polityczna, n-ost - The Network for Reporting on Eastern Europe and Rekolektyw Association....

Helping migrants at the border has become taboo [interview]

06 Dec 2021  |  krytykapolityczna.pl  |  Polish  |  Research

Nina Boichenko, initiator of the 'Researchers at the Border' initiative, discusses the impact of the migration route through Belarus and the state of emergency on the local community in Podlasie, Poland. The initiative aims to connect researchers in the field to share advice, avoid duplicating research topics, and establish common ethical work rules. Boichenko, along with Natalia Judzińska, seeks to create a research base, a repository of collected data, and possibly an educational website with short films. Despite the lack of funding, they hope to facilitate research in the border zone, which is dynamic and requires immediate attention. Boichenko, a migrant herself, reflects on the taboo of helping migrants and the polarized attitudes towards them in the region.

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Border Guard Institute of Slavic Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences Badacze i badaczki na granicy

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Henry Ridgwell is a journalist.

Finland closes border with Russia due to influx of immigrants; Estonia could be next

30 Nov 2023  |  www.vozdeamerica.com  |  Spanish  |  Security

Finland has closed its entire 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, accusing Moscow of using asylum seekers as a tool in a 'hybrid' attack in retaliation for Finland's NATO membership. The Finnish Border Guard reported a significant increase in asylum seekers from various countries entering from Russia. Estonia is also considering closing its border with Russia if faced with a similar influx. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized that the migration is organized and not a genuine emergency. Russia denies the accusations, warning that any military deployment at the border would be seen as a threat. Poland has offered military advisors to Finland, recalling a similar crisis with Belarus in 2021. Concerns are rising about the safety of migrants attempting to cross the border in harsh winter conditions.

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Polish National Security Bureau Finnish Border Guard NATO Kremlin

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Sertan Sanderson is a seasoned journalist with a rich background in covering news and current affairs. Specialising in social change, migration, and cultural impacts, his work is characterised by a deep exploration of the intersection of politics and human rights. 

His reporting has taken him ...

Poland plans to temporarily suspend asylum 'within weeks'

16 Oct 2024  |  www.infomigrants.net  |  English  |  EU Asylum Policy

Poland plans to temporarily suspend asylum applications at its border with Belarus, citing hybrid warfare tactics allegedly orchestrated by Belarus and Russia. The Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, is drafting legislation to implement this suspension, despite EU rules mandating access to asylum procedures. The European Union and Germany have expressed concerns over the legality of Poland's move, emphasizing the need for a reformed EU asylum system. The situation at the Poland-Belarus border remains tense, with ongoing attempts by migrants to cross into the EU, exacerbated by Belarus's alleged strategy to push migrants towards the border.

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Polish Border Guard Civic Coalition European Union

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Katie Toth is a broadcast journalist who specializes in transborder issues and Arctic affairs, and loves breaking down complex stories quickly for new audiences who are just jumping in. She's filed stories on air for National Public Radio and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. She's also ...

The Hottest Forest in the World

13 Aug 2023  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  Hybrid Warfare

The article discusses the ongoing refugee crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border, where migrants from countries like Syria, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Afghanistan attempt to enter the European Union through the Bialowieza Forest. The number of illegal crossings has decreased since the 2021 crisis but may be rising again. Belarus is accused of facilitating these crossings as a form of hybrid warfare. In Poland, despite a court ruling against pushbacks, migrants still face challenges from border guards. Mariusz Kurnyta, working with the Wolno Nam Foundation and Podlaskie Voluntary Humanitarian Rescue, aids these refugees. The Polish government, particularly the ruling Law and Justice party, is using the border issue as a campaign point, linking migration to security threats, especially with the presence of Russia's Wagner paramilitary force in Belarus. The article also touches on the humanitarian efforts by groups like Grupa Granica and the contrasting treatment of Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

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Polish Academy of Science’s Institute of Political Studies Polish Border Guard Wolno Nam Foundation Podlaskie Voluntary Humanitarian Rescue Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Grupa Granica