Debates

Thursday, 5 July 2012 - Strasbourg

Freedom of expression in Belarus, in particular, the case of Andrzej Poczobut (debate)

  Jacek Protasiewicz (PPE). – (PL) Mr President, one week ago, when we submitted a motion for this resolution, Andrzej Poczobut was under arrest. Today – fortunately – he is a free man, albeit released on probation. I would like to say a few sentences about him, because I know him personally. I had the pleasure and privilege of receiving him in my home in Poland, when he represented a delegation of Poles in Belarus. This is a man of unwavering character, who loves freedom and who loves the people who elected him to his position in the Union of Poles of Belarus. This is a man who will not allow any dictator to beak him. He reminds me of Adam Michnik, a legendary figure of the Polish underground, the Polish democratic opposition, who fought for freedom, a journalist and politician. Just as communism in Poland broke its teeth on Adam Michnik and his friends, the Belarusian regime will break its teeth on Andrzej Poczobut. I therefore call on Minsk, Alexander Lukashenko and all his co-workers to be reasonable – if you want to cooperate with Europe, stop persecuting the opposition, including the Poles in Belarus.