The European Parliament awarded one of the European Union’s most prestigious human rights distinctions—the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought—to journalist and Polish minority activist from Belarus, Andrzej Poczobut. Established in 1988, the prize honors individuals or organizations that have shown exceptional dedication to defending human rights, freedom of expression, and democracy.
Andrzej Poczobut was born on April 16, 1973, in Brzostowica Wielka, in what was then the Byelorussian SSR. He comes from a Polish family living in the Grodno region. In 1998, he graduated from the Faculty of Law at the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. For many years, Poczobut worked as a journalist, contributing to both Belarusian and Polish newspapers, including Głos znad Niemna, Magazyn Polski, and Gazeta Wyborcza, where he served as a correspondent in Grodno. Beyond journalism, he was deeply involved in civic activism, particularly within the Union of Poles in Belarus, an organization representing the Polish minority under increasingly hostile conditions.
His professional and civic activity repeatedly made him the target of repression from the Belarusian authorities. He was first arrested in 2011 and 2012 for allegedly insulting President Alexander Lukashenko and participating in “unauthorized” protests. The most severe persecution came later: on March 25, 2021, Poczobut was arrested once again and later sentenced in February 2023 to eight years in a high-security penal colony for so-called “activities harmful to the state.” Among the accusations were describing the 1939 Soviet invasion of Poland as an “act of aggression” and reporting on the 2020 Belarusian protests. His health has deteriorated in prison, with limited access to medical care and periods of isolation.
Before receiving the Sakharov Prize, Poczobut had already been recognized internationally for his courage. Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, declared him a prisoner of conscience. The European Parliament’s decision in 2025 is thus both a recognition of his steadfastness and a message of solidarity with all those silenced by authoritarian regimes.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the European Parliament’s highest human rights distinction. Candidates are nominated by political groups or at least forty members of the Parliament, and the final decision is made by the Conference of Presidents, composed of the President of the European Parliament and the leaders of political groups. While the award includes a monetary sum of 50,000 euros, its true value lies in its moral and symbolic power. The prize publicly honors those who fight for democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression, drawing global attention to individuals and movements operating under repression.
This year’s prize was awarded to two journalists—Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia—both of whom “refused to be silenced and paid a high price for speaking the truth,” as stated by the Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola. In Poczobut’s case, the award recognizes not only his courageous journalism and activism on behalf of the Polish minority but also his symbolic role as a representative of those who stand against authoritarianism in Eastern Europe. The decision also sends a clear message to the regime of Alexander Lukashenko: Europe has not forgotten its political prisoners.
The broader context of this recognition lies in the ongoing repression in Belarus following the fraudulent 2020 presidential election. Independent journalists, opposition figures, and civic activists continue to face imprisonment, censorship, and harassment. For members of the Polish minority, conditions are especially severe—cultural organizations are monitored, schools face restrictions, and community leaders are targeted. Poczobut’s case has become emblematic of these pressures.
For Andrzej Poczobut himself, the Sakharov Prize is a powerful signal of international solidarity. Although he remains in prison, the award ensures that his struggle is not forgotten and increases diplomatic pressure on Belarus to improve his conditions or secure his release. For Poland, the prize honors one of its citizens who represents the values of freedom and truth beyond national borders. It also strengthens the voice of the Polish minority in Belarus and reaffirms Poland’s commitment to supporting democracy and human rights in its eastern neighborhood.
For Europe, the recognition of Poczobut is a reminder that the fight for free speech and human dignity is not confined to distant continents—it continues in our region. It demonstrates that European institutions still have the capacity to stand up for fundamental rights, not only through legislation or diplomacy but also through symbolic gestures that mobilize global attention.
The reality for Poczobut remains harsh. He is still imprisoned in a high-security colony, with limited contact with his family and minimal medical assistance. The Sakharov Prize will not immediately change this situation, but it serves as an important moral and political tool. Such recognition can strengthen international advocacy, inspire renewed media coverage, and motivate NGOs and governments to act.
The award also carries broader implications. It may help renew focus on the Polish minority in Belarus, reinforce support for independent media in countries where journalism is endangered, and remind European societies that democracy and freedom require constant vigilance.
Ultimately, Andrzej Poczobut’s story is one of perseverance and integrity. His life exemplifies the cost and the value of speaking the truth under oppression. The Sakharov Prize honors not only his personal courage but also the universal principles for which he stands: the right to speak freely, to defend one’s community, and to resist tyranny. For Poland and for Europe, his recognition is both a cause for pride and a call to responsibility—to continue standing with those who, like him, refuse to be silenced.
