Opposition says Poland’s closure of border crossing justified response to lawlessness in Belarus
February 14, BPN. The Belarusian opposition’s cabinet supports the decision by the Polish government to close the Bierastavica-Bobrowniki border crossing, its statement reads.
It described the closure as an “adequate response” to “lawlessness in Belarus, the increasing number of political prisoners and their inhumane treatment in custody.”
Warsaw’s move limits the regime’s ability to finance reprisals, it noted.
The opposition urged all countries committed to a democratic and independent Belarus, to keep up pressure on the Belarusian authorities to end the crackdown and free all political prisoners.
The pressure should inflict damage on [Alaksandr] Lukashenka’s regime, the cabinet stressed. At the same time, it noted the importance of having travel routes open, including humanitarian corridors for Belarusians fleeing persecution.
Poland closed the Bierastavica-Bobrowniki border crossing on February 10 citing national security concerns.
It announced the closure along with new Polish sanctions on Belarus over a lengthy prison sentence for a Polish minority activist and journalist Andrzej Poczobut, sentenced to eight years in prison on politically-motivated charges of inciting hatred and calling for sanctions.
The Belarusian foreign ministry has expressed “strong protest” against the border crossing closure to Martin Wojciechowski, Polish chargé d’affaires. Any attempts to pressure Belarus would be counterproductive, the foreign ministry said.
The move aggravates the very difficult situation on the Belarusian-Polish border, violating the rights of thousands of people from various countries, including Poland and Belarus, it noted.
- Politics, SocietyMahiloŭ State University will train “military-patriotic” PE teachersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja, Zourabichvili discuss cooperation, Russian meddlingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka invites Serbian president to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets Trump's Ukraine-Russia envoyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityZelensky: Putin views Belarus as Russian provinceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SecurityUkrainian emergency workers tackle drone strike aftermath at Chernobyl nuclear plantThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja links prisoners’ release to pressure on regimeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: former customs officer’s high treason charge trial beginsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsAt least 33 sent for forced treatment on political grounds since 2020The material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityHomiel region checks radiation after Zelensky reports Chernobyl strikeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyRunaway athlete’s ex-husband back in Minsk, ready to cooperate with investigatorsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsImprisoned activist's book declared extremistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank’s net foreign-currency assets up 0.7 percent in JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMAZ truck sales in Russia drop 32 percent y/yThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk’s rights violations amount to crimes against humanity – UN expertsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelGee sales in Russia falling since NovemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsGovernment brands 18 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCichanoŭskaja condemns Russia’s drone attack on Chernobyl reactor shieldThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyPro-government sociologists: more than 70 percent trust law enforcersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsEcuador's president congratulates Łukašenka on seventh term in officeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Belarusians’ online activities in focusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets with US diplomat who took prisoners out of BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus to build 4.5 million sq. m of housing this year, more than in 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMore than 27,000 genetic passports issued in Belarus – scientistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityBelarusian drill draws on the experience of war in UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityCIS draft anti-terrorist program sent for revisionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SportInvestigators launch probe against dissident athlete's ex-husbandThe material is available only to POZIRK+