The Polish parliament voted on Friday to allow soldiers protecting the border to use lethal weapons in case of direct threats to the country and their own security.
The move comes a few weeks after a Polish soldier was fatally stabbed in the border zone with Belarus.
Lawmakers argued that the old law was too vague and did not give troops enough space to make a reasonable decision in certain situations amid concerns about legal consequences of their actions.
The new law includes a section that excuses responsibility for actions taken under specific circumstances. This applies to the use of weapons or direct force by a soldier or officer defending the border.
The law also provides legal assistance to soldiers and officers in cases involving the use of weapons; it also regulates, among other things, the rules for detaining soldiers by the Military Police.
"We have completed the parliamentary work on a law that increases the security of the Polish state, and enhances the security of soldiers and officers steadfastly guarding our border, the EU border, and NATO's eastern flank. I think it is worth thanking all the soldiers and officers once again," said the Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
He added that "this law gives them a greater chance to use weapons under specific rules, providing a much greater sense of security than ever before."
Lawmakers argued that the old law was too vague and did not give troops enough space to make a reasonable decision in certain situations amid concerns about legal consequences of their actions.
The new law includes a section that excuses responsibility for actions taken under specific circumstances. This applies to the use of weapons or direct force by a soldier or officer defending the border.
The law also provides legal assistance to soldiers and officers in cases involving the use of weapons; it also regulates, among other things, the rules for detaining soldiers by the Military Police.
"We have completed the parliamentary work on a law that increases the security of the Polish state, and enhances the security of soldiers and officers steadfastly guarding our border, the EU border, and NATO's eastern flank. I think it is worth thanking all the soldiers and officers once again," said the Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
He added that "this law gives them a greater chance to use weapons under specific rules, providing a much greater sense of security than ever before."
The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and some politicians, especially from the Left, say the new law is poorly drafted, could effectively serve as a "license to kill," and might result in impunity for soldiers and officers in cases of serious abuses.
The Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty has also expressed concerns about certain proposed provisions.
In a letter to the vice speaker of the Sejm Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, he said that "the adoption of the law may constitute legal and political permission for the lack of respect for the principles of proportionality in the use of force or firearms by state representatives," according to Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza.
The legislation will now be sent to Polish President Andrzej Duda for his approval.
The Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty has also expressed concerns about certain proposed provisions.
In a letter to the vice speaker of the Sejm Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, he said that "the adoption of the law may constitute legal and political permission for the lack of respect for the principles of proportionality in the use of force or firearms by state representatives," according to Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza.
The legislation will now be sent to Polish President Andrzej Duda for his approval.
Source: TVP World, PAP
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