Poland warns against blocking border access roads

Access roads to the Polish-Ukrainian border should be part of critical infrastructure and must not be blocked by protesters.

This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Poland’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Adam Bodnar, CE Report informs.

“The key point here is the formulation ‘critical infrastructure.’ I believe that access roads to the border should be part of critical infrastructure and should not be blocked because it harms everyone,” emphasized Bodnar.

According to him, in a democratic country, there are various other mechanisms for protest. Furthermore, in the practice of the European Court of Human Rights, there is a well-known case, "Kudrevičius and others v. Lithuania," where the court stated that road blockages are not protected as a form of permissible protest.

“There cannot be a situation where a minority uses a certain situation from an infrastructural and technical perspective to complicate life for the majority. Of course, everyone who wants to peacefully protest can exercise their right to assemble. But we must strive to ensure that roads remain accessible and passable,” stressed the Polish justice minister.

Bodnar highlighted that the Polish government will resolutely monitor the actions of local authorities regarding their obligations to organize local protests.

“And will demand the protection of critical infrastructure every time,” added the Polish official.