"More than 6,000 enterprises, with Belarusian companies or citizens of Belarus as shareholders, were operational in Poland in 2023. Additionally, there were 12,000 Belarusian citizens engaged in sole proprietorship (JDG), and 122,000 Belarusian citizens contributed to social security in Poland. Moreover, over 12,000 Belarusian students pursued their studies in Poland. It is noteworthy that the majority of Belarusians who left their home country ended up in Poland. They have aspirations to work legally, study, pay taxes, and develop their businesses," stated Pavel Latushka, deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, during his speech at the conference "Migration as a Political, Social, and Economic Problem" in Slesin, Poland. The conference, attended by representatives from Belarus, Poland, and Ukraine, was taking place from April 10 to April 11 this year.
Almost four years of continuous repression have resulted in a situation where Belarusian students, pensioners, businessmen, drivers, doctors, lawyers, individuals seeking marriage or divorce, newborns, and adults in exile, as well as numerous Belarusians deprived of their professions, have sought refuge in Poland. These individuals have lost their property, livelihoods, and the ability to comply with the requirements of Polish legislation regarding legalization and administrative procedures. Assisting Belarusians abroad is one of the most crucial tasks for the democratic forces of Belarus.
During his speech, Pavel Latushka addressed the following issues:
The importance of restoring the Polish Business Harbour program;
Simplifying the legalization process for Belarusian children born or reaching adulthood in Poland;
Examining the possibility of extending the validity of humanitarian residence permits issued in Poland beyond the current three-year period. Additionally, considering the issuance of humanitarian visas not only to individuals who have faced repression but also to their relatives, including Belarusians residing in third countries;
Extending the validity of Polish travel documents to three years;
Exploring the possibility of protecting the interests of individuals who have received international protection in Poland in third countries;
Simplifying the procedure for filing applications for marriage registration;
Resolving pension provision issues for individuals in international protection status and on other grounds;
Reducing the requirement for Belarusian students to provide documents from Belarusian government bodies for admission and continuation of their studies in Poland;
Providing international protection for Belarusian students based on information about attempted conscription into the army or the threat of criminal prosecution for draft evasion;
Potential refusal by government agencies and universities to provide documents concerning students when requested by Belarusian government agencies in order to prevent further political repression;
Creating favorable conditions for the development of Belarusian businesses in Poland;
Eliminating discrimination against Belarusians in Poland in all forms of interaction with private organizations and the state, such as opening bank accounts, among others;
Reducing the time required for administrative procedures related to the legalization of Belarusians in Poland, particularly in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship and Wroclaw. Pavel Latushka has already submitted an appeal to the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Poland and the voivode of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, requesting a meeting to find solutions that expedite the issuance of documents to Belarusian citizens residing in this region.
Pavel Latushka also emphasized, "The dictatorship in Belarus is not eternal, as demonstrated by the example of Poland. We are interested in Poland becoming a strategic partner of a democratic Belarus in Europe, in both politics and economics. Our deep common history, absence of past conflicts, and close cultural and traditional ties provide advantages for future collaboration."
The leadership of the Higher School of Management Personnel and NAM will transmit the necessary materials to the government authorities of Poland for resolving problematic issues faced by Belarusians.
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