{"id":52013,"date":"2021-11-24T21:07:21","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T21:07:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wagingnonviolence.org\/rs\/?p=52013"},"modified":"2021-12-03T19:02:10","modified_gmt":"2021-12-03T19:02:10","slug":"what-solidarity-looks-like-on-the-belarus-poland-border-refugees-humanitarian-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wagingnonviolence.org\/rs\/2021\/11\/what-solidarity-looks-like-on-the-belarus-poland-border-refugees-humanitarian-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Refugee assistance on the Belarus-Poland border shows what solidarity can look like in dark times"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<a id=\"J6SkeYczTa91gWhEzPXytg\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1236282469\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'J6SkeYczTa91gWhEzPXytg',sig:'NrfWL9sufFFvx910V2N8_LtoPPUKCKfuhD1GTwjjo70=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1236282469',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src=\"\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" async=\"\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since July 2021, a marked increase in refugees attempting to cross into the European Union from Belarus has been developing into a humanitarian crisis. On the Belarus-Poland border, thousands of refugees, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/59233244\">primarily from Iraq<\/a>, are trapped in the borderland between a militarized Polish response and coercive Belarusian security forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While there has been much focus on the geopolitical implications of events, very little attention has been paid to the local people and groups that have stepped up to show what humanity and solidarity can look like in dark times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Jakuba Sieczko, paramedic with Polish NGO <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/medycynagranicy\">Medycy na Granicy<\/a> (Medics at the Border), briefed the media on Nov. 15 about ending their provision of humanitarian assistance, having been operating since Oct. 7. He emphasized that \u201cWe are experiencing a situation we haven\u2019t seen in tens of years here. And it\u2019s a huge drama. Sometimes the scenes we\u2019ve witnessed made us think of very dark times of very difficult times in Polish history. And once again because of that we appeal for a quick solution to this humanitarian drama.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote alignright is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>While a source of pride for many Polish people, the legacy of that resistance is politically contentious, as are the actions of the groups and individuals seeking to help current refugees.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The primeval Bia\u0142owie\u017ca forest \u2014 artificially divided by the Belarus-Poland border \u2014 was, like much of the central European borderland, a region that saw <a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguin.co.uk\/books\/563\/56373\/savage-continent\/9780141034515.html\">pervasive and vicious ethnic cleansing<\/a> during World War II and in the years that followed. Now, in recent months, many people fleeing conflict have sought to cross through it once again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adelajda, a member of the Polish NGO <a href=\"https:\/\/rodzinybezgranic.pl\/english\/\">Rodziny Bez Granic<\/a> (Families Without Borders), told me that \u201cWorld War II memories return, the strip of land beyond the wire fence is called the \u2018death zone.\u2019 Some compare the situation to concentration camps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eighty years ago, the forest was a refuge for Jewish people and others fleeing extermination, while also providing a degree of shelter for the anti-Nazi resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cActivists and locals [who help] are being compared to the Polish Underground State, the network of resistance organizations in occupied Poland [during World War II],\u201d explained Adelajda, who is not using her real name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While a source of pride for many Polish people, the legacy of that resistance is politically contentious, as are the actions of the groups and individuals seeking to help current refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indeed, Medycy na Granicy\u2019s Nov. 15 briefing explained the suspension of their own activities in the wake of two separate incidents. First, an ambulance\u2019s tires were deflated, hindering their activities, then five of the team\u2019s cars were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/medycynagranicy\/posts\/128162252969770\">damaged with axes and knives<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn a situation where axes and knives are used to damage the cars, we might expect that we could be next, that we could be attacked,\u201d Sieczko clarified. \u201cAnd this forced us to make a very difficult decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even so, the following day the <a href=\"https:\/\/pcpm.org.pl\/humanitarian-crisis-on-the-polish-belarusian-border-pcpm-medics-come-to-rescue.html\">Polish Center for International Aid<\/a>, or PCPM, began emergency assistance. In spite of the threats and attacks, it should be emphasized that members of Medycyna Granicy\u2019s group are continuing their assistance. According to Sieczko, \u201cWe have been cooperating with them [the PCPM] for many weeks. Many of our people are still there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The provision of medical assistance is one of the most crucial activities being undertaken. Thirteen people are known to have died so far, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2021\/nov\/18\/one-year-old-syrian-child-dies-in-forest-on-poland-belarus-border\">most recently<\/a> a one-year-old Syrian child, whose family was assisted by the PCPM after spending six weeks in the forest. Exposure to the elements, dehydration and poisoning by contaminated water and poisonous plants are among the threats refugees face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote alignleft is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The \u201cgreen light\u201d initiative has also emerged in the border area, where \u201cpeople put a green light in front of their houses to signal that they are ready to help migrants.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Disturbingly, the deaths may be much higher given the expansive and remote nature of the border area. Adelajda noted that Polish people near the border have said \u201cthey didn&#8217;t want to enter their cornfields, being afraid they would find bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Groups like Rodziny Bez Granic have responded by seeking to raise awareness and by engaging in actions to pressure the Polish government to allow medical and humanitarian assistance at the border. Meanwhile, other groups \u2014 such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kuchniakonfliktu\/\">Kuchnia Konfliktu<\/a> (Conflict Kitchen) \u2014 are focused on providing emergency supplies and food to people crossing the border. Much of the activity is being coordinated under the umbrella organization <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/grupagranica\">Grupa Granica<\/a> (Frontier Group).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe last straw for many Poles, including me, were photos of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euractiv.com\/section\/politics\/short_news\/the-children-of-michalowo-found-safe-in-belarus\/\">children from Micha\u0142owo<\/a>, depicting families with toddlers who were pushed back beyond the border,\u201d Adelajda recalled. This is what ultimately led to the establishment of Rodziny Bez Granic. As Adelajda explained, \u201cMy friends from Warsaw created a Facebook group inviting befriended families to take children and draw solidarity slogans in chalk in front of Security Border HQ. The group immediately grew bigger and bigger.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, perhaps the most crucial action to help the refugees has been taken by local people who reside in the border area \u2014 the only ones who can currently enter the state of emergency zone. Much of this action remains hidden and unknown for now, due to the risk on the ground, the imposition of the state of emergency and some of the political and social stigma such action incurs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adelajda explained that the locals who help \u201clive in small closed communities, where everybody knows each other and many people work for the Border Guard.\u201d As a result, \u201cmany of them are afraid to talk about it publicly, so we don\u2019t know the exact scale of their efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t#newsletter-block_619eaa48fef7d {\n\t\t\t\tbackground: #ECECEC;\n\t\t\t\tcolor: #000000;\n\t\t}\n\t\t#newsletter-block_619eaa48fef7d #mc_embed_signup_front input#mce-EMAIL {\n\t\t\t\tborder-color:#000000 !important;\n\t\t\t\tcolor: #000000 !important;\n\t\t}\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"newsletter-block_619eaa48fef7d\" class=\"newsletter px-4 pt-4 pb-2 text-center mb-4\">\n    <div class=\"newsletter-block\">\n        <h3 class=\"newsletter-block\">Sign Up for our Newsletter<\/h3>\n        <p class=\"newsletter-description\">We&#8217;ll send you a weekly email with the latest articles.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"newsletter-form-wrapper\">\n          <div id=\"mc_embed_signup_front\" class=\"py-3 w-100\">\n  <form action=\"https:\/\/wagingnonviolence.us2.list-manage.com\/subscribe\/post?u=f279f100fef8b39c61c33aef1&amp;id=615747eb15\" method=\"post\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" name=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" class=\"validate\" target=\"_blank\" novalidate>\n    <div id=\"mc_embed_signup_scroll\">\n      <div class=\"mc-field-group input-group\">\n        <input type=\"email\" value=\"\" name=\"EMAIL\" class=\"required email form-control\" placeholder=\"Email Address\" id=\"mce-EMAIL\">\n        <div class=\"input-group-append\">\n          <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Subscribe\" name=\"subscribe\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe\" class=\"d-flex btn btn-sm btn-yellow\">\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <!-- real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups-->\n      <div style=\"position: absolute; left: -5000px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <input type=\"text\" name=\"b_f279f100fef8b39c61c33aef1_79af2f1e5e\" tabindex=\"-1\" value=\"\">\n      <\/div>\n      <div id=\"mce-responses\" class=\"clear\">\n        <div class=\"response\" id=\"mce-error-response\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"response\" id=\"mce-success-response\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/form>\n<\/div>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere is a broad range of attitudes\u201d Adelajda said. \u201cSome people actively search for people in need, some help if they are asked, leave their barn open. Many give people something to eat and drink and call for the Border Guard, as instructed. Many are also hostile and call the Border Guard immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The \u201cgreen light\u201d initiative has also emerged in the border area, where \u201cpeople put a green light in front of their houses to signal that they are ready to help migrants.\u201d This carries risks in drawing attention to refugees and helpers alike \u2014 as well as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-58947167\">prospect of abuse<\/a> \u2014 but in such dire circumstances, it is a potential lifeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Adelajda, \u201cthe attitude toward the Border Guard and migrants has changed \u2014 local people confronted with people and families in a harrowing state and witnessing pushbacks distrust the official narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such locals are now beginning to organize and communicate online, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Bia%2525C5%252582owieska-Akcja-Humanitarna-103160258861314\/\">Bia\u0142owiesk\u0105 Akcja Humanitarn\u0105<\/a> (Humanitarian Action in Bia\u0142owie\u017ca) being established in early November. They have appealed for the government to open the border area to humanitarian organizations, highlighting the terrible situation and emphasizing their right to provide assistance without fear of prosecution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More first-hand accounts from local helpers are starting to emerge, some of which can be seen in Antoni Pawlicki\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IUmY2h-9Yk0\">documentary<\/a> \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ouGmmqIHMRQ\">On the Verge of Indifference<\/a>.\u201d It is a disturbing testimony of the authorities\u2019 callous treatment of human beings attempting the border crossing, alongside their intimidation of locals trying to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The title of Pawlicki\u2019s documentary alludes to historian Ian Kershaw\u2019s observation that \u201cthe road to Auschwitz was built by hate but paved with indifference.\u201d Historian and holocaust survivor Marian Turski also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tokfm.pl\/Tokfm\/7,103085,27816053,marian-turski-o-sytuacji-na-granicy-dla-tych-ludzi-to-katastrofa.html?\">recently evoked<\/a> Kershaw\u2019s words in relation to the treatment of human beings on the Belarus-Poland border, making the crucial observation that for \u201cthose who freeze in the Bia\u0142owie\u017ca forest,\u201d the situation is a humanitarian catastrophe, but \u201cfor us it is a moral catastrophe.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Embarking down a path of moral catastrophe, we might also consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/01\/21\/opinion\/auschwitz-bystander-theory.html\">Rivka Weinberg\u2019s argument<\/a> that it is not just indifference but collaboration that paved the road to Auschwitz.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote alignright is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The Belarus regime\u2019s strategy would fall flat if the European Union was not such a willing collaborator in human suffering.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As NATO Secretary Gen. Jans Stoltenberg <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.com.tr\/en\/world\/nato-backs-poland-amid-growing-migration-crisis\/2416044\">has made clear<\/a>, the Lukashenko regime manufactured the immediate crisis on the border, and is accused of exploiting refugees as a hybrid warfare tactic against the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indeed, it is an especially heinous form of trolling that has characterized hybrid methods in recent years, with the weaponization of refugees directed right at the fault line between the European Union\u2019s stated values and the \u201cFortress Europe\u201d approach to migration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In early July, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-57754193\">Lukashenko taunted<\/a> that \u201cWe won\u2019t hold anyone, they are coming not to us but to the enlightened, warm and cozy Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the European Union\u2019s serious disputes with Poland, EU President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed solidarity with its militarized response and <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/statement_21_5867\">spoken narrowly of ensuring<\/a> that \u201cmigrants can be safely returned to their country of origin.\u201d Meanwhile, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefirstnews.com\/article\/german-minister-thanks-poland-for-protecting-eu-border-25472\">told<\/a> his Polish counterpart Mariusz Kami\u0144ski, \u201cI would like to thank you and the Polish Border Guard for protecting our common external border.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More recently Seehofer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/europe\/germany-wont-admit-refugees-belarus-polish-border-interior-minister-2021-11-18\/\">said<\/a>, \u201cIf we took in refugees, if we bowed to the pressure and said \u2018we are taking refugees into European countries,\u2019 then this would mean implementing the very basis of [Lukasheneko\u2019s] perfidious strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acknowledging the human beings attempting to get to the European Union through Belarus as being refugees, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/59348337\">yet supporting pushbacks<\/a> to deny them entry even to be processed as such, contravenes the UN Convention on Refugees and EU law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lukashenko\u2019s \u201cperfidious strategy\u201d largely gains its teeth from accentuating the hard line on migration taken by many political parties in the European Union for electoral mileage&nbsp; \u2014 not because it exploits some enlightened and soft perspective of the bloc. The Belarus regime\u2019s strategy would fall flat if the European Union was not such a willing collaborator in human suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the approach of the European Union and Polish authorities, ordinary individuals and ad hoc groups have done their utmost to respond to the calamity. In the hibernal borderlands, there is at least some glimmer of solidarity indicating a decent path forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As governments allow a humanitarian crisis to unfold, ordinary individuals and ad hoc groups are doing their utmost to help refugees.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":663,"featured_media":52014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[100],"region":[31],"series":[],"article_type":[],"class_list":["post-52013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-migration","tag-world-war-ii","region-europe"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What solidarity looks like on the Belarus-Poland border<\/title>\n<meta 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