Iranian journalist Marzieh Safdari recounts perilous journey through Belarus and Europe seeking asylum amid border crises.
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Iranian journalist Marzieh Safdari recounted her harrowing journey through Belarus and other countries after protests in Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death, seeking asylum in Europe. She is part of thousands who have attempted to cross into the EU via Minsk since 2021. Many travelers, from diverse backgrounds, used tourist packages to reach Belarus with the aim of crossing the Białowieża Forest border into Poland. Authorities in Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia accuse Minsk of facilitating irregular migration as retaliation for EU sanctions against Belarus following political repression. The Białowieża Forest has become a site of a humanitarian crisis, resulting in at least 97 deaths since 2021 due to exposure or drowning. Safdari described her ordeal, including being held by smugglers, enduring extreme cold, and experiencing violence. She detailed the harsh conditions and abuses faced by migrants attempting to cross the heavily fortified border. While some hoped political changes would improve the situation, reports indicate that restrictive measures and violence against migrants have continued or intensified in 2024.
