BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

22/01/2010

EP concerned over Poles's plight in Belarus

The European Parliament is to look into the situation of members of the Polish minority in Belarus, following the harassment and detention of around 50 activists on their way to a Union of Poles meeting, Thursday.

European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek (right) announced his concern over events in Belarus during his visit to Warsaw today.

"The reaction has to be immediate", he added: "We have to react decisively and strongly. We still remember the Poland of the 1970s or 1980s and how important it was to all the members of the freedom movement that somebody from outside speaks up for those in prison. This is crucial and we will insist on that," said Buzek.

Two unions

Meanwhile, Poland's embassy in Minsk released a statement expressing concern over the fate of the Poles who were on their way to show support for a local leader in Ivyanets, western Belarus, who was sacked from her post. A candidate backed by President Aleksander Lukashenko was put in her place. Police stopped cars, breathalysed some and took others away for questioning.

"The Embassy is concerned over the situation with the unofficial Union of Poles in Belarus and escalation of the conflict, initiated by the [Lukashenko backed] authorized Union of Poles led by Iosif Luchnik," says the statement.

The Union of Poles was split in two in 2005, with one half with leaders supported by Minsk and other recognised in Warsaw, which President of Lukashenko has accused of trying to "brainwash" the Polish minority and trying to act to help destabilise his regime.

Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Borkowski said in Warsaw, Friday, that "Belarusian authorities are clearly increasing the pressure on the Polish minority".

"We hope that what happened yesterday, the whole situation, is now over."

Borkowski also said he had unofficial information that local authorities in the area that was the centre of conflict yesterday are attempting to close down the Polish school there. (pg/jn)

Source: IAR/PAP

Source:

http://www.thenews.pl/international/artykul124232_ep-concerned-over-poless-plight-in-belarus.html


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