Secret service agents forcing Belarusians to give up Pole’s Card at borders – rights group

July 6, BPN. Belarusian travelers who are crossing borders are threatened with jail terms should they refuse to give up their Pole’s Cards, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.

Committee for State Security (KGB) agents reportedly talk to all cardholders.

Border guards identify them by visa codes, human rights defenders say noting that KGB officers offered people to “voluntarily” give up their cards and write a statement to the Polish consul right at the border. Viasna knows of at least a dozen incidents.

A Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka) is an identification document confirming belonging to the Polish nation that gives its holders the right to study, work and do business in Poland.

In 2022, a total of 62,324 Belarusians applied for the card with 46,121 applications granted.