Poland Allows Security Forces to Use Lethal Weapons

On July 26, Polish lawmakers passed a contentious bill permitting security forces to use lethal weapons without accountability in response to active threats, particularly at the border with Belarus. This legislation follows the fatal stabbing of a Polish soldier at the border and has raised alarms among human rights organizations, including the Council of Europe, which fear it may lead to unchecked violence by police, border guards, and military personnel. The new law exempts security forces from criminal liability for using arms or force in situations deemed threatening to individual or national safety. Critics, including the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, have warned that this could undermine human rights commitments and create a legal environment that discourages adherence to proportionality in the use of force. Polish lawyer and activist Hanna Machinska emphasized that national security should not justify human rights violations, arguing that the bill effectively grants a "license to kill." She expressed concerns that such measures could lead to a dangerous precedent in the treatment of individuals at the border. In response to ongoing tensions and provocations, Poland has announced plans to enhance its military presence and fortifications along the Belarusian border. This comes amid reports of multiple attacks on Polish troops, highlighting the escalating security challenges faced by the nation in the region.