ARTICLE 19 welcomes the release of Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who spent over five years in prison in Belarus on politically-motivated charges. We acknowledge this diplomatic breakthrough following long negotiations. At the same time, while this and the release of other political prisoners are moments to celebrate, we must not lose sight of the fact that Aleksandr Lukashenko and his regime are not stepping away from their authoritarian path. We reiterate that all political prisoners must be released and repression in Belarus must end.
Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist born in the Hrodna region of Belarus and a member of the Union of Poles in Belarus, has for many years covered developments in the country for Polish media. He has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Polish minority in Belarus, which have significantly deteriorated, particularly after the Lukashenko regime banned the Union. Because of his vital human rights work, he has been imprisoned several times.
Most recently, Poczobut was arrested in March 2021, and in February 2023, was sentenced in a politically-motivated trial to eight years in a high-security penal colony on charges of ‘inciting hatred’ and ‘calling for actions harmful to Belarus’.
On 28 April, Andrzej Poczobut was released in a prisoner exchange referred to as ‘five by five’ at the Polish-Belarusian border. He was welcomed there by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, holding a Belarusian passport in his hands. Polish authorities have advocated for his release for years.
However, those released are often expelled from the country and, in many cases, have their passports destroyed. People should be allowed to remain in their own country and reunite with their families. This is yet another example that there is no goodwill on the side of Lukashenko, but rather a cold calculation to which the international community should not make concessions.
Poczobut was held in a penal colony in Novopolotsk, where he described mistreatment, the harmful proximity of chemical plants affecting prisoners’ health, and conditions of forced, physically exhausting labour.
Poczobut’s release comes as part of ongoing negotiations between Washington and Minsk, which have already led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners, including several human rights defenders, among them Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, Nasta Lojka, Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova, and International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Vice President Valiantsin Stefanovich.
While we are relieved to see Poczobut free, ARTICLE 19 underscores that this does not mean sanctions should be lifted or diplomatic relations normalised. Rather, his release highlights the importance of sustained international pressure, including diplomatic efforts and restrictive measures, in securing the release of those unjustly imprisoned. In addition, as repeatedly highlighted, including during the Ales Bialiatski’s recent visit to the Netherlands, as some prisoners are released, many others are simultaneously arrested. Repression has not ceased, but it continues and is intensifying. We must remain vigilant and continue to demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners, as well as a definitive end to all repression against people in Belarus.