Angelika Borys (photo source: Wikipedia)

The Polish Union in Belarus has re-elected Angelika Borys as its leader. The Union's Sunday congress in the city of Grodno was held without any interference from Belarusian authorities , though many of the delegates had been intimidated.

The Polish Union in Belarus is not accepted by the regime of Alexander Lukashenka, which supports another organization, in turn not recognised by Warsaw. The Union meetings in the past had been disrupted by the interference of Belarusian authorities and the president of the Union Angelika Borys was threatened and intimidated. Minsk should allow for the legalizing of the Union headed by Angelika Borys thus signaling to the EU that Belarus is ready to embark on the road of democratic transformations.

EU foreign ministers are to decide on possible sanctions against Belarus. The visa sanctions, which embarced president Aleksander Lukashenko and members of his regime, were lifted six months ago as a sign from the EU of opening to dialogue, may come into force again since the situation in respect of human rights and freedom of speech in Belarus has deteriorated significantly. Poland advocates lifting the visa restrictions,which is clearly an effect of the Sunday congress of the Union of Poles in Grodno. However signs point that the calm approach of the Belarussian authorities to the congress has taken a different turn when confronting individual delegates.

The Union of Poles in Belarus has sent an appeal to President Aleksander Lukashenko, asking for dialogue and recognition of theUnion as a legal institution representing Poles.

Click on the audio icon to listen to the report by Agnieszka Bielawska.