Poland border pushbacks in spotlight again after pregnant woman's ordeal

The case of a woman from Eritrea who was forced to give birth alone in a forested area between Poland and Belarus has raised questions about the Polish government's response to the humanitarian crisis at the border dividing the countries.

- Shaun Walker

The previous, rightwing government of the Law and Justice party (PiS) had been accused of encouraging human rights abuses by border guards, with reports of frequent and violent pushbacks of people into Belarus.

Since December, Poland has had a new government led by Donald Tusk, the former European Council president, that has promised to reverse the democratic backsliding and rule of law abuses of its predecessor. But rights activists say that when it comes to the treatment of refugees and migrants, little has changed.

"People we meet in the forest tell us exactly the same stories as we used to hear before. Most of them who met border guards or soldiers on the Polish side of the border experienced pushbacks and violence," said Aleksandra Chrzanowska, an activist who has worked at the border for several years and is part of Grupa Granica, a loose collection of activists and rights workers who offer help to people trying to cross the border.