Despite calls from home and the international community, the authorities in Minsk did not make any attempt at solving the political crisis through inclusive dialogue with Belarusian society. Instead, they decided to cling to power at all costs, resorting to brutal force. The number of political prisoners has exceeded 1,000 and continues to rise, while free media and human rights organisations have been shut down. Belarusian citizens are deprived of their freedom of expression. On the day of the so-called referendum alone, another 800 people were arrested for taking part in protests.

The announced draft of a new constitution was forced upon Belarusians by discredited authorities. The sole purpose of this document is to maintain the dominance of the incumbent authorities and to increase the political, military, and economic dependence on the Russian Federation. 

The so-called referendum was held despite the fact that the barbaric military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, launched on 24 February, still continues, in which the Belarusian side is actively supporting the aggressor both militarily and verbally, repeating Russia’s war propaganda. 

Poland calls on the Belarusian authorities to immediately stop participating in the Russian aggression against Ukraine, withdraw all Russian troops from Belarusian territory, release all political prisoners, annul the results of the so-called constitutional referendum and hold new free and fair presidential election with the participation of all candidates.

At the same time, we declare that, together with the whole Belarusian nation, we will work towards a free, strong, democratic, and sovereign Belarus that pursues a policy of good neighbourly relations and adheres to the international law.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesman