A Polish human rights activist is among those honored by the Belarusian government in exile for supporting the opposition’s fight for democracy in the country gripped by Alexander Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule.
Paweł Kazaniecki, a Polish political scientist and human rights activist, was awarded the ‘For Fruitful Work for Belarus’ Medal for his contributions to Belarusian civil society.
The medal is awarded by the Belarusian government to individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation’s development and society.
The decision was signed on Saturday by the leader of Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who heads the opposition-led United Transitional Cabinet.
The award was given in the lead-up to Freedom Day, which falls on Tuesday and will mark the 107th anniversary of the 1918 proclamation of the Belarusian People’s Republic (BPR), often viewed as a watershed moment in the country’s history.
The Belarusian independence movement of the late Soviet era and the early years of Belarusian statehood drew inspiration from the BPR’s legacy.
Banned by Lukashenko’s regime in Belarus, the holiday is commemorated by the Belarusian opposition and exiles worldwide.
The medal is awarded by the Belarusian government to individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation’s development and society.
The decision was signed on Saturday by the leader of Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who heads the opposition-led United Transitional Cabinet.
The award was given in the lead-up to Freedom Day, which falls on Tuesday and will mark the 107th anniversary of the 1918 proclamation of the Belarusian People’s Republic (BPR), often viewed as a watershed moment in the country’s history.
The Belarusian independence movement of the late Soviet era and the early years of Belarusian statehood drew inspiration from the BPR’s legacy.
Banned by Lukashenko’s regime in Belarus, the holiday is commemorated by the Belarusian opposition and exiles worldwide.
‘Try to recognize us!’
On Sunday, Belarusians in exile gathered in Warsaw to mark the occasion, defying threats from Minsk, which warned it would identify and punish emigrants taking part in celebrations abroad.
In response, United Transitional Cabinet deputy head Pavel Latushka urged Belarusians to attend the march wearing masks. He also called on Poles to show solidarity by joining the event.
A banner held by Belarusians read: “Try to recognize us!”
Tsikhanouskaya wrote on social media platform X: “Today, Belarusians marched for Freedom Day in Warsaw, not just in memory of the past but in belief in our future.” “The regime tried to erase our history. They failed.”
She added: “March 25 is not just a date. It’s a promise that freedom will return to Belarus.”
Among the crowd was Irena Biernacka, a former political prisoner and leader of the Union of Poles in Belarus’ Lida branch. She was arrested on Freedom Day in 2021 and, after months in detention, forcibly exiled to Poland by the Belarusian authorities.Today, Belarusians marched for Freedom Day in Warsaw, not just in memory of the past but in belief in our future.
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) March 23, 2025
The regime tried to erase our history. They failed.
March 25 is not just a date. It’s a promise that freedom will return to Belarus.#StandWithBelarus @svaboda pic.twitter.com/cPqQOtoOw1
That same day, independent journalist and Polish minority activist Andrzej Poczobut was also arrested in Hrodna. Tuesday will mark four years since his imprisonment.
There are currently around 1,500 political prisoners in Belarus, a country that remains a close ally of Russia in the region.
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