I.

Overview about Belarus-EU border crisis (Mây)

The Belarus-EU border crisis is a complex and ongoing situation that involves the
movement of thousands of migrants, mostly from Iraq and other Middle Eastern and
African countries, to the borders of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia via Belarus. The
crisis has been triggered by the deterioration of relations between Belarus and the EU,
following the disputed 2020 presidential election in Belarus, the violent crackdown on
anti-government protests, the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk to arrest a
dissident journalist, and the attempted repatriation of an Olympic athlete who sought
asylum in Poland. The EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Belarus for
these actions, which have been condemned as human rights violations.
The crisis is still ongoing, as new groups of migrants continue to arrive in Belarus
from various countries, either by air or by land. The situation on the border remains
volatile and unpredictable, as both sides have deployed military forces and equipment
to secure their territories. The crisis has also drawn attention from other countries and
regions, such as Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Iraq, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, who
have expressed their views or offered their assistance in different ways. The crisis has
raised many questions and challenges for the international community, such as how to
deal with hybrid threats, how to protect human rights and uphold international law,
how to address the root causes of migration, and how to foster dialogue and
cooperation among different actors.

II. The cause of the Belarus-EU border crisis (Nhi)

Political Manipulation by Belarus
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been accused of engineering the
crisis at the Belarus border as a means to exacerbate vulnerabilities within the
European Union (EU). By facilitating the movement of migrants and asylum seekers
to cross EU borders, Lukashenko aims to put pressure on the EU and gain leverage in
negotiations.

Influx of Migrants
The crisis involves an influx of coordinated groups of immigrants, primarily from
Iraq, with smaller numbers from Afghanistan, Syria, and other countries. The migrants
have been trying to reach the European Union via Belarus. The numbers have been
growing steadily since the summer, and many of them arrived in Minsk, the capital of
Belarus, by air before traveling overland to the borders of EU states, including Poland
and Lithuania.

Response of EU Countries
In response to the crisis, EU countries have taken measures such as building fences,
significantly increasing border patrols, and declaring a state of emergency along the
 border areas. These actions aim to prevent migrants from entering EU territory.
However, these measures have also limited independent humanitarian assistance
organizations from providing aid to those in need.

Humanitarian Concerns
The crisis has raised humanitarian concerns due to the harsh conditions faced by the
migrants. There have been reports of violence inflicted on people on the move, and
humanitarian organizations have highlighted the inhumane treatment and lack of
access to basic necessities for those stranded at the border.

Stalemate and Loss of Life

The situation at the Belarus-EU border has resulted in a political stalemate, with no
immediate resolution in sight. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has
urged states to end the stalemate and take urgent action to save lives and prevent
further suffering. Tragically, several deaths have been reported in the border region,
and the situation is expected to worsen as winter approaches.

III. The developments in Belarus-EU border crisis (Nghi - Nguyên)

How did the crisis start?
The crisis erupted earlier this year, when longtime Belarusian President Alexander
Lukashenko reacted furiously to EU sanctions. The bloc had punished Minsk over its
forced diversion of a passenger jet in May and subsequent arrest of a dissident
journalist, Roman Protasevich, who was on board.

Months earlier, the EU and the United States penalised Lukashenko’s government for
cracking down on dissent after a disputed August 2020 election which handed the
67-year-old a sixth term and provoked mass anti-government protests.

Angered by the toughened measures, Lukashenko hit back by announcing Belarus

would stop trying to prevent undocumented migrants and refugees from reaching the
EU, arguing the bloc’s sanctions deprived his government of the funds needed to do
so.
Since then, EU member states bordering Belarus, including Lithuania, Latvia and
Poland, have reported sharp increases in the number of people attempting to cross
their borders.

Developments in the Belarus-EU Border Crisis in 2023

The Belarus-EU border crisis has been a significant issue in 2023, with several
developments and tensions arising. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Escalation of the Crisis:

The crisis at the Belarus-EU border has escalated, with increased tensions and
concerns over the situation. Belarus has been accused of engineering a migrant crisis
at its borders with the EU. The crisis has led to a humanitarian emergency, with
migrants facing serious abuses and violence at the border.

2. EU Response:
The European Union has taken various measures in response to the crisis. The EU has
implemented restrictive measures against Belarus, including sanctions, in response to
its involvement in Russia's military invasion. EU countries neighboring Belarus have
ramped up border security, citing threats posed by Wagner mercenaries.

3. Involvement of Other Countries:

The crisis has not only involved Belarus and the EU but has also attracted the
attention of other countries. For example, Iraq has played a role in the ongoing
Belarus-EU border crisis, although its involvement has been largely overlooked.

4. International Calls for Action: The United Nations

Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called for urgent action to save lives and prevent
further suffering at the border areas between Belarus and the EU. The crisis has
prompted international concern and calls for a resolution to the situation.

IV. The results/ The impacts of Belarus-EU border crisis (Trâm)

The Belarus-EU border crisis has had significant impacts and has revealed wider
security threats. Here are some key points from the search results:

1. Lukashenko's strategy: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been

accused of engineering the crisis at the Belarus border to exacerbate vulnerabilities
within the EU . This crisis has been seen as a deliberate attempt to distract attention
from the situation in Belarus itself.

2 . Reports of violence and intimidation: There have been reports of theft,

destruction of people's belongings, intimidation, intentional violence, and physical
assault at the border. These actions have created a humanitarian crisis and raised
concerns about human rights abuses.

3. EU response: The EU has responded to the crisis by planning additional sanctions

against Belarus . These sanctions are intended to address the migrant crisis and its
impact. The EU has also introduced restrictive measures against Belarus in the past,
particularly in response to its involvement in Russia's military invasion.

4 . Humanitarian concerns: The crisis has resulted in a significant number of

migrants and asylum seekers massing at the Belarusian frontier with Poland, Latvia,
and Lithuania. This has created a humanitarian challenge as these individuals seek to
enter the European Union.

5. Security implications: The EU considers the crisis at the border between Poland,
Latvia, and Lithuania with Belarus as a hybrid attack . This highlights the security
implications of the crisis and the need for a coordinated response.

6. Loss of life: Tragically, there have been deaths recorded on the Belarus-Poland
border as a result of the crisis. The exact number of deaths is difficult to determine,
but the search results mention cases of deaths in this context.

Overall, the Belarus-EU border crisis has had significant consequences, including
humanitarian challenges, security concerns, and strained relations between Belarus
and the EU. The crisis has highlighted the need for a comprehensive and coordinated
response to address the underlying issues and mitigate the impacts on affected
individuals.