Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Defense Minister, has been instructed to draft proposals for amendments to Polish law to “ensure the regulations support Polish soldiers,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday.
This announcement follows recent reports that have shocked Poland, involving the detention by military police of two Polish soldiers. The soldiers had fired warning shots to deter migrants attempting to cross the Polish-Belarusian border illegally at the turn of March and April this year.
The government has pledged a swift investigation into the soldiers’ detention. President Andrzej Duda has called for a National Security Council meeting, and the opposition is demanding the resignation of key figures in the Polish government.
Donald Tusk expressed confidence that Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz would present his proposals on the increased legal protection of Polish soldiers at Monday’s government meeting.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the aim is for the legal framework to “clearly support Polish soldiers when they use weapons in self-defense or in defense of Polish territory or borders.”
Tusk highlighted that soldiers “must feel legally secure” in such circumstances.
Opposition critical of government’s actions
Tensions grow on the border with Belarus as a Polish soldier was fatally stabbed during the border intervention.
“The first Polish soldier of this hybrid war has passed away. (...)It’s possible it could have been avoided, but two months ago, soldiers who used weapons not to shoot people but in self-defense to keep onrushing illegal immigrants away were handcuffed, detained, and placed under investigation,” said Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of the Polish major opposition Law and Justice party.
“This shows what the policy of this government really is—in any democratic country, this situation would lead to resignations,” he continued.
Former minister of defense Mariusz Błaszczak referred to this case, saying that “Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz responded by abdicating his duties. He reviews and audits instead of really supporting Polish Army soldiers. So instead of supporting the Polish uniform, Tusk’s team turned their back on the soldiers of the Polish Army.”
“In this way, the morale of Polish Army soldiers was affected. This is a situation that threatens the security of our homeland. This is reprehensible; it is unacceptable,” he continued.
The government has pledged a swift investigation into the soldiers’ detention. President Andrzej Duda has called for a National Security Council meeting, and the opposition is demanding the resignation of key figures in the Polish government.
Donald Tusk expressed confidence that Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz would present his proposals on the increased legal protection of Polish soldiers at Monday’s government meeting.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the aim is for the legal framework to “clearly support Polish soldiers when they use weapons in self-defense or in defense of Polish territory or borders.”
Tusk highlighted that soldiers “must feel legally secure” in such circumstances.
Opposition critical of government’s actions
Tensions grow on the border with Belarus as a Polish soldier was fatally stabbed during the border intervention.
“The first Polish soldier of this hybrid war has passed away. (...)It’s possible it could have been avoided, but two months ago, soldiers who used weapons not to shoot people but in self-defense to keep onrushing illegal immigrants away were handcuffed, detained, and placed under investigation,” said Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of the Polish major opposition Law and Justice party.
“This shows what the policy of this government really is—in any democratic country, this situation would lead to resignations,” he continued.
Former minister of defense Mariusz Błaszczak referred to this case, saying that “Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz responded by abdicating his duties. He reviews and audits instead of really supporting Polish Army soldiers. So instead of supporting the Polish uniform, Tusk’s team turned their back on the soldiers of the Polish Army.”
“In this way, the morale of Polish Army soldiers was affected. This is a situation that threatens the security of our homeland. This is reprehensible; it is unacceptable,” he continued.
Source: TVP World, PAP
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