Polish president’s foreign policy official declares support for Belarusian democratic forces

April 13, BPN. A member of the Belarusian opposition’s cabinet, National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) head Pavieł Łatuška, and Polish state secretary Marcin Przydacz, who heads the foreign policy bureau at the presidential office, discussed “unprecedented human rights violations” in Belarus on April 12.

Łatuška says he raised the issue of reprisals against the Polish minority and, on behalf of Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s cabinet and the NAM, submitted a suggestion to strengthen sanctions against the Łukašenka regime “for human rights violations and support of the war of aggression.”

The NAM head reminded the Polish state secretary about national and international legal instruments to hold the regime accountable, including by “creating a special international tribunal for crimes in Belarus.” He also told Przydacz that there is a file on the deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus.

Separately, the NAM head pointed out the upcoming deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the threats posed to Belarus’ sovereignty and regional security by Russia’s and Łukašenka’s plans.

Possible cooperation in the EU framework to raise Brussels’ awareness of the situation in Belarus was also discussed.

Przydacz stressed that the Belarusian democratic forces can count on the Polish leadership’s support in protecting the rights and freedoms of Belarusians.

On April 4, commenting on the investigators’ decision to drop charges against the head of the unofficial Union of Poles in Belarus, Anžalika Borys (Andżelika Borys), Łatuška said he was confident that Belarusian authorities would intensify reprisals against ethnic Poles regardless of the move.