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MINSK, 16 August (BelTA) — Polish President Andrzej Duda has signed a law that expends the range of legal use of weapons by Polish military, police and border guards, RMF24 reports.
The Polish leader said: “I am pleased to be able to sign the law that will allow us to protect the border and other places even better, even more efficiently. It is important. I thank you for preparing and adopting these regulations. They will soon come into force. I believe the law will make the difficult service of our military easier. It will contribute to the most effective realization of our objectives."
In mid July, the Polish Sejm approved, by a majority vote, a bill that expands the powers of Polish military, police and border guards. It removes criminal liability for the use of weapons or means of direct coercion by Polish soldiers under certain conditions. Now, without fear of criminal punishment, they can shoot at anyone trying to cross the border.
The Council of Europe expressed concern over the initiative adopted by the Polish parliament. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O' Flaherty pointed out that the Polish authorities return migrants across the Polish-Belarusian border, violating Poland's obligations under international human rights law. The new law exempting border guards from criminal liability will only exacerbate the situation.
The Polish leader said: “I am pleased to be able to sign the law that will allow us to protect the border and other places even better, even more efficiently. It is important. I thank you for preparing and adopting these regulations. They will soon come into force. I believe the law will make the difficult service of our military easier. It will contribute to the most effective realization of our objectives."
In mid July, the Polish Sejm approved, by a majority vote, a bill that expands the powers of Polish military, police and border guards. It removes criminal liability for the use of weapons or means of direct coercion by Polish soldiers under certain conditions. Now, without fear of criminal punishment, they can shoot at anyone trying to cross the border.
The Council of Europe expressed concern over the initiative adopted by the Polish parliament. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O' Flaherty pointed out that the Polish authorities return migrants across the Polish-Belarusian border, violating Poland's obligations under international human rights law. The new law exempting border guards from criminal liability will only exacerbate the situation.