Marek Migalski: Poland should ensure the safety of Belarusians

The member of European Parliament addressed the Minister of Internal Affairs of Poland.

The appeal to the Interior Minister of Poland is connected with the beating representatives of Belarusian emigration by Polish hooligans in Warsaw. Such letters will also be sent to the Minister of Justice and the mayor of Warsaw.

Here is the text of the appeal, wrote by Marek Migalski (translation - charter97.org).

"On Sunday, August 12, an extremely unpleasant situation took place on the football field of `gymnasium № 23 on Tarnovetska Street in Warsaw. A group of hooligans attacked the citizens of Belarus who wished to conduct a football tournament for the Diaspora, living in Poland. Despite the fact that main organizer of the tournament, Belarusian House in Warsaw, had reserved the soccer field for 12 hours of the day, two Polish teams, playing at the stadium, did not want to leave the field and reacted aggressively on corresponding requests. During this incident, shameful for Poles, were beaten Dmitry Barodka, one of the leaders of Belarusian House in Warsaw, and photojournalist of the portal charter97.org Ivan Mezhui. In addition, an expensive photo camera has been stolen from the journalist. It is also worth noting that the incident was witnessed by children.

Mr. Minister, as a former fellow of the Center for Eastern Studies, you are aware of difficult situation of the Belarusian citizens who are forced to live in Poland for political reasons. The main objective of Poles as a nation, which also enjoyed the hospitality of other countries during the struggle for sovereignty, should be in ensuring the security of Belarusian immigrants, helping them to organize themselves, and supporting their initiatives. What happened last Sunday is the absolute opposite of our obligations to the neighboring people and undermines faith in the fact that Poland is a safe haven for the Belarusian opposition.

In connection to this, I appeal to you as a Minister to do everything possible, so that all the perpetrators of this senseless and brutal attack were found and brought to Polish Justice, and the stolen equipment - returned to owners. Reports of the investigation are troubling: only a few criminals are arrested, most aggressive bullies weren’t detained (although the licence plates of their vehicles were photographed). Witnesses from Belarus complain that lawyers of the criminals participate in questionings, and in corridors the victims can encounter the bullies.

Therefore, I appeal to you to ensure that this case didn’t prove again (like in the incident with Ales Byalatski) callousness and ignorance of Polish institutions and officials. The bandits, who have severely beaten our guests from Belarus, should be punished – this is justified from both human and political point of view. I'm sure you are aware of this. Therefore, I ask you to act so decidedly as possible in this matter.

Yours,

Marek Migalski, MEP, alternate member of the delegation on Belarus".