Polish cabinet backs tougher penalties for migrant smuggling
Poland’s government has endorsed legislation introducing longer prison terms for deadly border-smuggling operations and serious assaults on public officials. Parliamentary and presidential approval is still required.
Poland’s Council of Ministers voted on November 10 to support Justice Ministry amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Petty Offences. inPoland.net.pl reported the cabinet decision on Wednesday, November 11.
The proposal would make arranging an unlawful border crossing for financial or personal gain a distinct offence punishable by one to 10 years in prison. Organisers who expose migrants to danger through overcrowded vehicles, unsafe transport or hazardous routes could face terms of two to 12 years.
A prison sentence of three to 20 years is envisaged when a smuggling operation results in a person’s death. The bill also provides penalties of one to 10 years for life-threatening attacks on officials using firearms, knives, vehicles or other dangerous objects.
The measures had not yet become law at the time of the report. They must pass parliament and receive the president’s signature before taking effect 14 days after publication in Poland’s Journal of Laws.