Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador
On May 17, Pavel Latushka met with the Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General of Poland, Adam Bodnar. The main topic of the meeting was a discussion of possible Polish support for the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) initiative to bring Lukashenko and his accomplices to criminal responsibility for committing crimes against humanity through the International Criminal Court.
Pavel Latushka presented information about the dramatic situation of the Belarusian population, the vast majority of whom oppose dictator Lukashenko. Details were provided about the huge number of victims of torture, rape, enforced disappearances, imprisonment, murder, and deportation.
Minister and Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar has extensive experience as Vice-President of the Board of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, as well as Ombudsman of Poland. While in these positions, he was constantly engaged with the human rights situation in Belarus. Today, Bodnar is one of the most respected lawyers in Poland.
The Polish Minister of Justice noted that the topic of crimes against humanity committed in Belarus is certainly a focus of attention, and he is aware of the scale of repression. Bodnar stated that he is personally acquainted with Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski, who are currently political prisoners among thousands in Belarus.
The Minister also proactively informed about the ongoing reform of Polish legislation, which will create the possibility of wider application of the principle of universal jurisdiction in Poland. This would allow the prosecution of those responsible for the most serious international crimes by Polish national courts, regardless of where such crimes were committed. This approach can be applied to those committing criminal acts in Belarus.
Bodnar expressed the readiness of the Polish Prosecutor General's Office to assist in the investigation of cases within the framework of universal jurisdiction, where the victims are Belarusian citizens.
Adam Bodnar said that his ministry will analyze the possibility of implementing the initiative presented by the NAM to bring Lukashenko to justice in the International Criminal Court for potential further implementation. The Ministry of Justice of Poland received materials prepared by the NAM on the facts of crimes against humanity committed in Belarus.