It has been a year since Belarusians asserted their rights following rigged presidential election and their protests were met with unprecedented violence by the authorities. Thousands have suffered – tortured, beaten, arrested, unlawfully convicted, laid off or forced to leave their country.

Poles stand in solidarity with Belarus, and Poland together with other democratic countries supports Belarusians. As an expression of our solidarity with all of those who fight for human rights and democratic principles from the very beginning of the crisis we provide comprehensive assistance to the repressed and those at risk of persecution. We support civil society, independent media, non-governmental organisations, offer scholarships to Belarusian university students and scientists, help workers and entrepreneurs who are looking for a safe haven in Poland. Within the EU and together with other partners we took strong decisions in response to Belarusian authorities’ actions – political restrictions and economic sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations.

We owe the utmost respect and recognition to those Belarusians who have been protesting for months in the streets of their home cities, demanding the democratisation of the country and to those who were forced into exile and yet still call for the rights of their compatriots. Democratic opposition in Belarus is indispensable to the recovery process from the ongoing political crisis.

We believe that the political crisis can be solved, violence will cease, free, democratic and transparent presidential election will be held, political dialogue with the opposition will start, and all political prisoners will be released, including members of Polish minority in Belarus.

Poland will continue its support for the Belarusian society and will keep making efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. We will consistently support sovereignty and stability of Belarus and all persecuted and repressed people.

Жыве Беларусь!

 

MFA Press Office