Małgorzata Gosiewska: Lukashenko Is Using Political Prisoners As Hostages
- 18.06.2026, 15:01
The repressive system in Belarus continues to operate.
The head of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Belarus, former Deputy Marshal of the Polish Sejm Małgorzata Gosiewska spoke at a session of the European Parliament.
Her speech was preceded by a speech by Belarusian journalist and representative of the Polish minority in Belarus Andrzej Poczobut.
In her speech, the Polish politician stated that authoritarian regimes use political prisoners as hostages and as a tool to exert pressure on the West. According to her, every release of a prisoner of the regime is a victory for humanity, but we must not forget that the repressive system in Belarus continues to operate and claim new victims.
The website Charter97.org quotes an excerpt from Małgorzata Gosiewska’s speech:
— Authoritarian regimes treat political prisoners as hostages. Lukashenko also uses them as a tool for pressure, blackmail, and negotiations with the West.
Every release is a victory for humanity, but it should not obscure the fact that the system of repression continues to operate and claims new victims.
Remember that repression in Belarus is not an isolated phenomenon. It is part of a broader authoritarian mechanism, also known from the Kremlin’s long-standing actions: the destruction of independent media, the intimidation of civil society, the instrumental use of the courts, and the use of political prisoners as a tool of pressure.
According to Małgorzata Gosiewska, the protection of human rights requires consistency.
— Regardless of whether violations occur in Belarus, Russia, Georgia, or in European Union member states.
As Andrzej said, it goes without saying that a journalist must be free to speak the truth about what he sees and documents.
Andrzej’s presence here today is a testament to his courage, which the regime has failed to break. Andrzej cannot be broken. It is also a commitment to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves here today. For me personally, it was an honor to nominate Andrzej Poczobut for the Sakharov Prize. Andrzej, we welcome you as a free man, and we welcome you to the European Parliament.