Poland in Sweden

The forum focused on the key role of women in the Belarusian democratic movement and the challenges they face in their political and social engagement. Topics included gender equality, combating gender-based violence, and international best practices that support democratic processes. Among the participants was Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian opposition.

Among the speakers at the opening of the conference was Poland’s Ambassador to Sweden, Karolina Ostrzyniewska, who outlined the actions taken by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU in relation to the situation in Belarus. She emphasised that the Polish presidency actively worked to maintain the EU’s sanctions policy towards Belarus. Thanks to the efforts of the PL PRES, the Council adopted a new package of sanctions in March this year against individuals and entities particularly involved in the Minsk regime’s policies - both in terms of supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the persecution of political opponents.

Ambassador Ostrzyniewska stressed that for Poland, as the presiding country, it was crucial to maintain strong support and cooperation with representatives of Belarusian democratic forces and civil society - both in exile and inside the country.

She also highlighted that the Kościuszko Forum, held on 3-4 February, provided a platform through which these groups were able to present their message to a broader group of EU countries, exchange views, and signal the key needs for the success of Belarus’s future democratization process.

Ambassador Ostrzyniewska also noted that the PL PRES had advocated for the release of political prisoners, including Andrzej Poczobut.