Speaking in the southern city of Katowice on Thursday, Tomasz Siemoniak urged political figures to stop using migration to score short-term points on social media.
“I appeal to politicians who try to build political capital on the topic of migration and the presence of foreigners to act responsibly, and not to repeat false information for a moment of fame,” he said.
The minister made the comments amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment and ahead of far-right demonstrations planned for the weekend, including by football fan groups.
He said that police were fully prepared and experienced in securing such gatherings and would respond firmly if the law were broken.
“We will do everything to make sure these demonstrations are safe,” Siemoniak said. “Freedom of assembly will be respected, but if the law is violated, police will act decisively.”
Siemoniak criticized the previous government, led by the right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS), for what he described as a chaotic and irresponsible migration policy.
He referenced the so-called “visa scandal,” which involved allegations of improper issuance of thousands of visas to non-European nationals, and recalled a statement by former foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz suggesting migrants should be let through because they planned to continue on to Germany.
Also on Thursday, Siemoniak issued guidance for increased monitoring of locations across Poland where foreign nationals reside.
The move follows recent incidents in the southwestern city of Wałbrzych, where police arrested individuals accused of attempting to provoke unrest.
Siemoniak also said the interior ministry was working closely with local governments on managing migrant-related tensions and that temporary border controls with Germany and Lithuania had proven effective.
Since the reintroduction of checks earlier this month, 75,000 people have been screened. Authorities found several individuals with stolen vehicles, false documents or outstanding warrants.
“These are positive side effects of the tightening up of our borders,” Siemoniak said, adding that while some crossings have seen delays, overall traffic was moving smoothly.
Siemoniak confirmed that migration routes have shifted in response to Poland’s reinforced eastern border with Belarus, with traffickers now steering migrants through Latvia and Lithuania.
Temporary checkpoints at 52 crossings along Poland’s western frontier have involved heavy engagement from the border guard, police and military.
He expressed hope that state services would be supported by all political actors, not undermined.
“I strongly appeal to those politicians who do not seem to understand how important it is that our officers and soldiers feel supported by all citizens,” he said.
Responding to questions from reporters, Siemoniak declared that the Belarusian border was secure, guarded by 11,000 personnel and reinforced through both physical and electronic barriers.
Poland has also enacted legal measures, including a buffer zone and the suspension of asylum rights at the border.
However, he warned that there has been an increase in aggressive behavior from the Belarusian side, including stone throwing and Molotov cocktail attacks.
On Wednesday evening, Polish authorities published footage showing such incidents.
“These are dangerous provocations,” Siemoniak said. “We demand a response from the Belarusian authorities and an end to these practices.”
He added that he had spoken with Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and that both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local border commissioners had issued strong protests.
Siemoniak said Polish officers were "well prepared." Last year, riot police were deployed to the border, and border guards and soldiers received training in handling crowds and preventing violence.
He also cited a sharp drop in the number of migrants reaching Germany via the so-called Belarus route. From 12,000 in 2023, the figure fell to 5,000 in 2024, and only 800 so far this year. He attributed this to Poland’s strengthened border enforcement.
The government considers the use of migrants as a geopolitical weapon by Belarus to be a serious threat and has asked parliament to extend temporary restrictions on asylum claims at the eastern border.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP