Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, and the United Transitional Cabinet’s Representative for Social Policy, Volha Zazulinskaya, held meetings with NGOs supporting political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Deputy in the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, also joined the discussion.
Participants included representatives of Dissidentby, Volnyja, ByHelp, Partyzanka, Freedom Women, Humanosh, Da Voli! Association of Political Prisoners, Libereco, PEN, Viasna Human Rights Center, Dapamoga, Association of Political Prisoners of Belarus, Belarusian Solidarity Center, and A Country to Live in Foundation.
The meeting aimed to prepare for possible mass releases of political prisoners, ensuring that aid for them and their families would be swift, coordinated, and effective.
Topics of discussion included:
- shelters for released prisoners;
- local support: food, housing, transportation;
- documents and legal stay, in particular for those deported without passports;
- visa and legal issues, including asylum procedures under the Dublin Regulation (in the first country of entry);
- support for families and relatives;
- long-term support programs.
Organizations shared their capacities, including how many people they can host and in which cities across Poland they are ready to provide housing and assistance.
Leanid Marozau: “This was a very productive meeting where we were able to discuss our next steps and coordinate actions. It is important to unite all efforts and resources to be prepared for potential mass releases and to ensure that assistance is well-coordinated and timely”.
The meeting was organized by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and the United Transitional Cabinet’s Representation for Social Policy.
