Members of the Lithuanian and Polish Parliaments jointly commemorate the birth anniversary of Tadeusz Kościuszko and express their solidarity with Belarus

Press release, 4 February 2021

On 4 February 2021, in the framework of the 275th birth anniversary of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a shared Lithuanian, Belarusian, Polish and American hero, Committees on Foreign Affairs of the Parliaments of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland adopted a joint statement. In the statement, they express the hope that the 4th of February will remind us of our countries’ common past, committing us to mutual solidarity and support for the independence of states, freedom of nations, and respect for human and civil rights, all of which Kościuszko fought for.

Photo by the Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

Kościuszko’s birthplace 275 years ago was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and now lies within the borders of Belarus. People in this country are still being persecuted for demanding their right to the fundamental civil liberties, including, above all, free and fair elections.

Members of the Lithuanian and Polish Parliaments, freely and democratically elected representatives of the two nations, which are the heirs of Kościuszko’s legacy, expressed their solidarity with the people of Belarus seeking free and democratic elections in their country as soon as possible, and particularly with those who have been imprisoned or detained by the regime for their courageous stand. Members of Parliaments believe that there is a need for new and increasingly effective forms of support for the Belarusian people in their struggle for the democratic foundation of their country, whose freedom and independence are of fundamental importance, not only for our regional stability and development, but also for the security of Europe and the transatlantic world.   

As a follow up on the topic of solidarity with the people of Belarus, on 5 February 2021, at 10.30 a.m. the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is hosting a press conference by Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Franak Viacorka, Senior Advisor on International Affairs of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, titled Six months following the rigged presidential elections in Belarus: how can we help those fighting and imprisoned for the right to free and fair elections?      

The full text of the statement.

Information prepared by:

Advisor to the Bureau of the Foreign Affairs Committee

of the Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

Eglė Maželė, +370 239 6835, e-mail: p. [email protected]