Refugees in Belarus: An Abuse of Human Misery


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Status: October 18, 2021 11:14 p.m.

The Belarusian ruler Lukashenko uses refugees against the EU. The planned sanctions against the regime, however, are too short-sighted. A well-thought-out European refugee policy is needed.

A comment by Griet von Petersdorff, RBB

What is happening to the refugees in Eastern Europe is an abuse of human misery. The Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko has apparently learned from the Turkish head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Send a few refugees to the border with the EU – and it comes under pressure. Cold-hearted calculation.

Myopic plans by the EU

Gangs of smugglers earn money with the misery. The Polish government wanted to distinguish itself by showing particular hardness towards the refugees who wanted to cross the border. But the fact that people freeze to death, practically on their doorstep, has caused a rethink, at least in many Poles. There is now a wave of helpfulness there too.

The plans now – more border controls, sanctions against Belarusian airlines – are short-sighted. Because the refugees get on. We can turn ourselves upside down, ignore it, be against it. Political persecution, climate crisis, civil war – all reasons not to be able to endure it at home anymore. There is only one solution: a well-thought-out European refugee policy.

No solution since 2015

I don’t want to repeat it again because it has been said so many times at this point. The year 2015 is often used as a comparison. The extent cannot be compared at all. But since then there has not been a real solution either.

The fact remains: the EU states have to agree on a division. And then the refugees must continue to be accompanied: with language courses, with vocational training from Portugal to Poland. So that they really arrive here. Besides, there is no other way.

Editorial note

Comments generally reflect the opinion of the respective author and not that of the editors.

The opinion of Griet von Petersdorff, RBB, on the tense situation between Europe and Belarus

Topics of the day 10:15 p.m., October 18, 2021

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