Polish MEP Warns of “Dangerous Game” as Prime Minister Considers Human Rights Convention Reform
Poland’s political landscape is facing a critical juncture as Prime Minister Donald Tusk contemplates revising the nation’s adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights, sparking concerns about the potential ramifications for the country’s democratic foundations. The debate centers on balancing security concerns – particularly regarding migration and potential conflict – with the fundamental principles of human rights and international law.
Tusk, in a recent interview with Gazeta Wyborcza, asserted that the current framework of the European Convention on Human Rights “is inadequate to what is happening.” He argued for a more effective approach to addressing security challenges, specifically those related to illegal migration and the possibility of war, stating his intent to surpass the proposed solutions of political rivals such as Bosak, Braun, and Kaczyński. This requires, according to the Prime Minister, “reformulation of the language and new regulations.”
The Prime Minister acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, admitting it is “hard for some people to acknowledge” that individuals seeking a better life and crossing borders illegally can pose a threat. However, he was quick to clarify that this assessment is not intended as a stigmatization. “I don’t talk bad about them, like Orban or Kaczyński,” he stated, emphasizing his focus on those he believes are exploiting vulnerable populations, specifically Belarusian President Lukashenko, whom he accused of orchestrating illegal migration for political gain with Moscow. Despite this, Tusk conceded that “such mass migration poses a threat to the social and economic order of the entire West.”
However, these statements have drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures. Robert Biedroń, a Member of the European Parliament for The Left, characterized Tusk’s position as a “dangerous game,” warning of potentially severe consequences. “This is playing with matches,” Biedroń cautioned during an appearance on the “Graffiti” program on Polsat News on Monday. He drew parallels to the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, suggesting that abandoning the convention could lead to a similar outcome. “In Great Britain, it also started with the termination of the convention and ended with Brexit,” he noted, adding that even the Confederation party does not advocate such drastic measures.
Biedroń argued that the current challenges related to migration are not a result of the convention itself, but rather a consequence of inadequate legislation within Poland. “It is not the convention’s fault that today we have this particular situation when it comes to migrants, but the lack of good law,” he asserted, calling for the introduction of comprehensive legislation to regulate these issues.
Furthermore, Biedroń emphasized the broader implications of withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, stating it would mean “taking us out of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, where many Poles seek justice.” He warned that such a move would represent a significant step away from the rule of law, and The Left firmly opposes it. “This means taking us out of the entire democratic system of the rule of law. The Left is saying a hard ‘no’ here,” Biedroń emphasized.
The debate underscores a growing tension between national security concerns and the commitment to upholding international human rights standards, a challenge facing many European nations. The path forward for Poland remains uncertain as the Prime Minister weighs the potential benefits and risks of revising its relationship with the European Convention on Human Rights.
