Ihar Bantsar: Authorities ignoring Union of Poles in Belarus

Iosif Buko, head of the main department for appeals of individuals and NGOs at the President’s Administration, impolitely denied the Union of Poles of Belarus a dialogue.

The answer of the President’s Administration was signed on April 8, “Belorusski Partixan” notes.

On March 15, the 7th congress of the unrecognized public association Union of Poles of Belarus took place in Hrodna. Leader of the organization Anzhalika Borys sent Alyaksandr Lukashenka an offer to begin a dialogue to settle the many-year conflict on behalf of almost 200 delegates of the congress.

“We think that only a dialogue held on conditions of mutual respect can solve the many-year conflict that both the Union of Poles and the Belarusian authorities don’t need. This conflict doesn’t do good for the both sides but causes strained relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Poland. Being Poles and loyal citizens of Belarus, we are interested in better relations between the two countries,” says the letter, sent to Alyaksandr Lukashenka twice.

Iosif Buko gave two answers. The official explained in his last letter of April 8 that an appeal of the unregistered organization signed by a person, assumed to herself the status the head of the organization, would be considered.

“In our view, this answer of the authorities demonstrates they are not interested in solve the situation of the Union of Poles of Belarus. In spite of numerous appeals of the UPB to the Belarusian authorities, including Alyaksandr Lukashenka personally, we haven’t received any positive signals but refusing to accept the appeals for consideration the authorities again ignore the unpleasant situation with the UPB and make thousands of Belarusian citizens, members of our organization, fall out of the public life. It is very sad and unpleasant. We hope the Belarusian authorities in the context of liberalization and a thaw in relations with the West will have to get back to the problems of the Polish minority in Belarus and solve them. I‘d like to emphasize that the Union of Poles of Belarus is open for a dialogue with everyone who wants to help solving the difficult situation with the Union,” the UPB press secretary Ihar Bantsar said.