{"id":111878,"date":"2024-10-30T18:53:31","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T15:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/111878\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"polish-fm-working-to-secure-pacobuts-release-announces-karta-polaka-changes","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/111878\/","title":{"rendered":"Polish FM working to secure Pa\u010dobut\u2019s release, announces Karta Polaka changes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Andrej Pa\u010dobut\n <\/div>\n \n
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October 30, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> Warsaw is working to secure the release of Andrej Pa\u010dobut (Andrzej Poczobut), a Belarusian journalist and Polish minority activist, and other Poles held in Belarusian prisons, Foreign Minister Rados\u0142aw Sikorski has told the Senate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case of Pa\u010dobut, sentenced to eight years in prison in \u201ca fabricated case,\u201d receives special attention, PAP reports, quoting him as saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Polish government focuses on \u201cpolitical support\u201d of Poles in Russia and Belarus, helping them hold on to their identity amid authoritarian rule, Sikorski said, announcing adjustments to funding programs for Polish minorities by late 2024. Warsaw will work to lure Poles back to their home country for study and work, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The diplomat also announced changes to the law on the Pole\u2019s Card (Karta Polaka), an identification document confirming belonging to the Polish nation that gives its holders the right to study, work and do business in Poland. The program remains popular among Belarusians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sikorski cited security reasons for the changes, which reportedly include new criteria for the card\u2019s issue. Consuls and officials need these amendments to ensure that the Pole\u2019s Card does not become a loophole in migration procedures, Sikorski said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minister\u2019s statement follows Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk\u2019s announcement of a new migration strategy earlier this month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed to deter illegal migration by third-country nationals via Belarus that Warsaw considers a hybrid attack organized by Minsk and Moscow, the move may affect Belarusian asylum seekers fleeing Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the details have not been made public, the strategy calls for \u201cterritorial\u201d suspension of asylum procedures in Poland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tusk faces severe criticism from advocacy groups and politicians, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, yet has the support of the European Union Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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