MINSK, 9 November (BelTA) - The mistreatment of migrants by the Polish authorities and the silence of the European Union are inhumane, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova told reporters in Minsk on 9 November, BelTA has learned.
“I think that not a single person in Belarus can stay indifferent to this situation. Belarusians know and remember the history of our country that has witnessed many wars, many sufferings and hunger. We understand how terrible it is. The mistreatment of migrants by the Polish authorities, the silence of the European Union, which has not reacted to what is happening to migrants, are inhumane. We cannot stand by contemplating everything that is happening on the borders of our peace-loving country, which has always sought concord and has never violated human rights. We, the members of the Council of the Republic, cannot just stand aside either. Today our colleagues went to the border to see firsthand what is happening. We closely follow the news, and we feel for these people," Natalya Kochanova said.
According to her, today they are trying to blame Belarus for the situation. “We did not invite these people to our country. They are fleeing from wars. They are heading to the European Union. They are looking for work. They want to live in peace in European countries. What does this have to do with our country, the Belarusian authorities, our people? We are outraged by what is happening. This needs to be stopped. We will do our best to keep peace and order in our country. We must fight off false, unfounded accusations against Belarus today,” said the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic.
According to Natalya Kochanova, members of the Presidium of the Council of the Republic met with representatives of the Belarusian Union of Journalists' grassroots organization in the Secretariat of the Council of the Republic on 9 November. The participants of the meeting discussed the situation with migrants trapped on the western border of Belarus. “We have adopted a statement to voice our position on what is happening on the border of our country. It will be sent to all international organizations in order to tell the truth about what is going on at the border. We also plan to adopt a statement jointly with Belarusian women's organizations. We, women, hate to see the terrible conditions which men, children, and women have to face today. As mothers and grandmothers, we are very sorry to see this happening in the 21st century. We do not understand how people can be treated this way. Everyone who values human live and peace should stand up to this,” the speaker stressed.
