The RCB’s decision to include border crossings on the list of critical infrastructure has no direct impact on the legality or illegality of the gatherings, said Marcin Kierwiński, head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration. At the same time, he added that it gives the services broader leeway to respond to possible threats or provocations. However, farmers are concerned about the words of Donald Tusk, who spoke about it yesterday, and fear that their protest will be broken up by force.
Prime Minister Tusk announced on Thursday that in order to guarantee 100 percent that military and humanitarian aid will reach Ukraine without delay, border crossings with Ukraine and designated sections of roads and railway lines will be included in the list of critical infrastructure facilities. This will happen in the coming hours, as Tusk assured. For former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, this is an announcement of a ‘strong blockade of the farmers’ protest’.
READ ALSO: Border crossings on the list of critical infrastructure. Morawiecki warns: “In practice this means a violent blockade of the farmers’ protest”
At Friday’s press conference at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Public Administration, the head of this ministry, Marcin Kierwiński, announced that the Polish-Ukrainian border crossings were placed on the list of critical infrastructure on Thursday.
This is a completely natural thing. Remember, we are a country bordering a war-torn country. The supervision of critical infrastructure gives all state services a much broader latitude to respond in case of threats, even if they are caused by provocations.
– said Kierwiński. He added that the Government Center for Security’s decision to include intersections on the list of critical infrastructure does not directly affect the legality or illegality of the gatherings.
The role of the state is to create mechanisms that allow a very rapid response in case of threats. Hence this decision
– says the Minister of the Interior and Administration.
Will Tusk’s government disperse the peasants?
Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration Czesław Mroczek recalled that critical infrastructure is considered facilities, devices and services that are important from the point of view of state security and serve to ensure the normal and efficient functioning of public institutions and enterprises to guarantee.
It is strange that the infrastructure of border crossings has not yet been included in the category of critical infrastructure, because it is difficult to imagine the functioning of the Polish state with blocked borders.
– claims Mroczek. He added that all general provisions, including those of the Crisis Management Act, are applied to protect this infrastructure. He emphasized that critical infrastructure is not only an object, building or a specific device, but also the border crossing service.
Any action that prevents or blocks the operation of the border, and any devices used to block the border, fall within the area and response of the State in case of blocking of the border crossing service itself. It’s not just about five or seven specific objects or a kilometer of road
– he said, which could mean an attempt to forcibly disperse farmers blocking border crossings.
READ ALSO: PiS chairman: I appeal to the authorities to enter into dialogue with farmers. We are doing everything we can to ensure that Ukraine wins the war, but not at the expense of Polish agriculture
Moczek added that in a crisis situation or in actions that threaten critical infrastructure, the Prime Minister and Ministers can issue orders that will serve to protect this infrastructure.
It is not our intention to prevent protesting farmers from expressing their views and opinions. However, we are faced with the need to protect two values: the right of citizens to assemble and express their opinions and views, and at the same time the obligation to protect critical infrastructure, which is crucial for the functioning of the stands.
– Mroczek tried to soften his boss’s words.
READ ALSO:
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Source: wPolityce