Prepared by: OFOP – National Federation of Polish NGOs
The District Court in Hajnówka acquitted the “Hajnówka Five” — activists accused of “facilitating illegal stay” after providing food and shelter at the Polish-Belarusian border — ruling that providing humanitarian aid cannot be equated with illegal activity. The case, widely followed since 2022, challenges attempts to criminalise aid under Article 264a of the Criminal Code. While this is a positive development, humanitarian access remains heavily restricted, pushbacks continue, the border asylum suspension remains in force, and solidarity activists and CSOs continue to operate under pressure.
