MFA’s statement regarding violating Polish national memorials in Belarus

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is deeply concerned about the increasingly frequent cases of violating Polish national memorials in Belarus. Most of these destructive acts have been taking place in the Grodno Region, where some 550 burial sites exist with remains of Polish soldiers, insurgents fighting for Poland's independence, defenders of Grodno. Unknown perpetrators have recently vandalised Polish tombstones and memorials in Bahdany, Bobrovichi, Dyndylishki, Iwye, Ashmyany, Yodkavichi.

We strongly condemn creating by the local authorities an atmosphere of acquiescence to such practices, which are greatly encouraged by a defamatory anti-Polish campaign carried out by Belarusian mass media outlets. We appeal to the Belarusian authorities to immediately put an end to acts of vandalism in cemeteries and to reveal the perpetrators and hold them to account. Poland firmly demands respect for the graves of and memorials to the deceased. This issue should be kept outside the scope of the ongoing political disputes, in line with international standards.

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson