Illustrated Courier regular IKC
The Federation of Regional Associations of Commons and Districts of Poland awarded Titles of Man of the Year 2023 to Andrzej Poczobut and Prof. Adam Strzembosz. They're talking about the winners. Kazimierz Barczyk, president of the Federation, and Marek Zaniewski, Vice president of the Union of Poles in Belarus.
This year, the Federation of Regional Unions of Commons and Districts of Poland awarded the title of Man of the Year 2023 to 2 people.
Kazimierz Barczyk: The man of the Year 2023 was Prof. Adam Strzembosz – the Nestor of Polish lawyers and political prisoner of the Lukashenko government – Andrzej Poczobut.
What were they awarded for?
As we know, behind our east border there is panic and tyranny in Belarus. In the mediate of all this is the drama of Andrzej Poczobut – a human rights defender and activist of the Union of Poles in Belarus and writer of Gazeta Wyborcza. He's been in prison for 1045 days, tortured, isolated, sick. His suffering made him a symbol of the cruel persecution of our countrymen.
In a fake trial Andrzej Poczobut was sentenced to 8 years of camp. Now he's increasing in cruel conditions, without contact with his family. All for defending human rights. The Man of the Year award 2023 is our expression of solidarity and highest designation for his heroic attitude of the Pole, who fights against dictatorship for dignity, freedom and democracy in Belarus. There is besides a million persecuted Poles surviving there, only for being Poles! Dictator Lukashenko, who commits panic just beyond our borders, is thus a decisive no!
We're all worried sick. We know that Andrzej Poczobut is almost completely isolated in the penal colony and has been in the gap for almost six months. Do you have any information from him or his condition?
Marek Zaniewski, Vice president of the Union of Poles in Belarus: It is found in a penal colony in Nowopolock, northern Belarus. For half a year now, they've been holding him in the worst prison cell in order to isolate a prisoner and exert violent force on him. Like that's not enough, they throw him in the gap all now and then. In average mode, prisoners in the colony have the chance to work, meet families, call and may receive packages from the family. Unfortunately, Andrzej was deprived of specified an opportunity. Contact with him is almost impossible, it besides remains without average contact with the lawyer and access to correspondence). Unfortunately, his wellness is deteriorating overnight. The conditions in which they are tragic.
Andrzej Pochobut became Man of the Year 2023. What is the meaning of this discrimination for the Union of Poles in Belarus, which you are manager and Poles in Belarus and Pochobut himself?
Marek Zaniewski: The Polish Union in Belarus and all of us, colleagues of Andrzej, appreciate this discrimination very much. Publicising this case and reminding the public about it in Poland and the planet is the only way to defend Andrzej. He knows all the rewards he gets, he appreciates it very much, and he thanks everyone for the memory. Of course, our top concern is his release as shortly as possible. In all possible way we effort to support Andrzej's family, specified support is now very needed.
The second winner is prof. Adam Strzembosz – an outstanding lawyer who built a democratic state of law in Poland.
Kazimierz Barczyk: The award for Prof. Strzembosz is the most sincere expression of appreciation and thanks for his contribution to building the regulation of law and creating the foundations of democratic Poland. The prof. inactive fought for the regulation of law and for a truly democratic Republic in times of Solidarity. He was a associate of the Bureau of the National Judicial Coordination Commission of the NSZZZ “Solidarność”, a associate in the work of the civilian Centre of Legislative Initiatives “S”, president of the Panel on Law and Courts during the circular Table and president of the ultimate Court. This is just 1 of the many merits which Prof. Strzembosz laid on the altar of free Poland.
What does both winners have in common?
Both have been fighting for freedom and democracy for years. prof. Strzembosz, already since Solidarity, has participated in the construction of the regulation of law and democracy in Poland. Andrzej Poczobut is doing the same on behalf of a million Poles in Belarus. Prof. Strzembosz is simply a Nestor of Polish lawyers and mentor of thousands of young law students in our country. He educates those who uphold democracy and the law. Andrzej Poczobut is simply a symbol of the conflict for freedom and democracy in Belarus. He is the voice and symbol of this million Poles who live there.
What do we do for democracy in Belarus?
For more than 20 years, on behalf of local governments, we have organised aid for Poles in Belarus. We delivered the first computer to the editorial board of the Polish paper in Grodno! We, too, prepared Christmas packages for those persecuted and imprisoned in the Solidarity with Belarus action. all year, as part of the “Give summertime to Children from the East” initiative, we invitation children from Polish families from outside our east border to vacation. specified holidays in Poland already had 2,500 children, including almost a 1000 from Belarus.
Are there any problems with the arrival of children this year?
Marek Zaniewski: We are very keen to carry out this action, and present there are inactive opportunities. The trips of our youth to Poland are now very essential and important. Our countrymen in Belarus live in large tension and pressure. That's why these trips are like a sip of fresh air.
What do you think the future of democracy in Belarus will be?
Kazimierz Barczyk: past shows that all dictatorships are yet falling. What is happening in Belarus present is simply a horror. There are millions of Poles and millions of another Belarusians suffering. Let's face it: they want another Belarus! After all, a fewer years ago, during their spring, in mass demonstrations, they demanded freedom. Meanwhile, Belarus, taken over by Russia today, is simply a real threat to Poland. Therefore, present I want all Belarusians that the dictatorship of Lukashenko should fall as rapidly as possible. Let's face it: we don't want Russia forpost here. We want a democratic state that respects human rights. And that is why we present this award to Andrzej Poczobut. As a symbol of support and support for Belarus' way towards freedom.
Prof. Strzembosz's example shows that dictatorship can be fought and built from scratch a solid state of law. I've known prof. Strzembosz for decades. As judges, we together led Solidarity in courts, the first of the judges in Poland for implementing the Solidarity programme for the repair of the law were expelled from the judiciary with a ban on the profession of lawyer. This was a period after the martial law was introduced.
Kazimierz Barczyk
Degrees of both winners
Source: Partner materials
