Former political prisoner, journalist and one of the leaders of the Polish minority in Belarus Andrzej Poczobut intends to return to Hrodna after his health improves. He wrote about this in an article for Gazeta Wyborcza.
“Today, most Poles in Poland do not understand why I want to return to Belarus,” he noted.
Poczobut attempted to explain his motivation. He spoke about the history and activities of the Union of Poles in Belarus, the circumstances of his arrest, and how he refused release on the condition that he leave for Poland without the right to return.
Poczobut stressed that the organization had managed to preserve the ability to operate in the country, although it has had to comply with many restrictions. According to him, more than 3,000 children study the Polish language in public schools under the auspices of the union. Today, the teaching of history is restricted there, collective excursions to memorial sites are not held, and in some schools the Belarusian state flag stands next to the Polish flag.
“If we take a closer look at the current situation, we will see that Belarusians today have many organizations — many, sometimes, it seems to me, even too many — leaders with recognizable faces who speak on their behalf. And who do the Poles living in Belarus have? Only the Union of Poles. It is the only stronghold of Polish identity in public life today. That is why our organization is so important. In Hrodna, Minsk, Brest, Lida and many other cities, there are still Poles who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice much for the existence of the Union. For years I was their voice. Today my place is beside them.
I understand how great the risk is of being imprisoned again, but at the same time I have no doubt that my presence in Belarus will help strengthen the organization, reinforce Polish identity and, paradoxically, may also reduce repression against Poles. That is why I want to take this risk. I also believe that sooner or later Alyaksandr Lukashenka will be interested in normalizing relations with his neighbors, including Poland. I believe that without normalizing the situation of the Polish minority in Belarus, such a thaw in bilateral relations will be impossible. Therefore, after my health improves, I intend to return to Hrodna, to the Union of Poles in Belarus,” he wrote.
An interview with Andrzej Poczobut was also published today by Rzeczpospolita. In it, he spoke about his imprisonment, as well as the assurances given during the exchange two weeks ago that he would be able to return to Belarus. In Belarus, according to Poczobut, he plans to see relatives, assess the situation within the union, visit its branches and listen to people.
“We are speaking in a hospital. Here, doctors make the decisions. Today I underwent tests, and things are not too bad, but I still need some procedures. The doctor told me that I need to restore my health, and I take this seriously. I am of a certain age, I have my illnesses, and first and foremost I listen to doctors. As soon as I no longer need to stay in a hospital or any medical facility, I will be ready to return to Belarus. I thought it would happen much faster,” he said in response to a question about his plans to return to Hrodna.
