Belarus Border Media Access Rejected by Polish Parliament

On Tuesday, Poland's president signed legislation that would restrict access to its border with Belarus by charities and journalists. Poland is dealing with a migration crisis.

This law strikes at the opposition parties who pushed for unlimited media access, an amendment approved by the upper house of parliament but rejected by the lower house.

Media and aid charities were totally banned in the border region during the state of emergency declared in September and ending at midnight. According to the opposition, the ban was intended to cover up rights abuses, and unfettered access was sought.However, the government claims that the restrictions were needed to protect national security.

Under the new rules, the interior minister can limit access to the border zone after consulting with the head of the Border Guard. Journalists and NGOs may, however, be allowed entry by local Border Guard heads.

Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski said on Tuesday night he would order a temporary ban on entering areas around the border.

Minsk is accused by the European Union of staging the migrant crisis to retaliate against sanctions. The Belarusian leader claims that the EU deliberately provoked a humanitarian crisis.

Even though the situation on the border has calmed since mid-November, when Polish security forces fired water cannons at migrants throwing rocks, groups continue to force their way through barbed wire fencing.

Polish border guards reported 134 attempts to cross the Belarusian border on Monday.