Grzegorz Gawel, a Polish Catholic monk and humanitarian, has been unlawfully detained in Belarus and recognized by human rights defenders as a political prisoner. He is being held incommunicado under fabricated espionage charges. We demand his immediate release and full respect for international human rights law.
Petition demands
- Immediately and unconditionally release Grzegorz Gawel and drop all charges against him.
- Guarantee immediate access to an independent lawyer and to representatives of the Polish consular services.
- Disclose his place of detention and ensure independent medical supervision.
- Cease the practice of forced confessions and propaganda broadcasts involving detainees.
- End the misuse of “espionage” charges against religious figures, humanitarian workers and foreign nationals.
- Respect international human rights obligations, including the ICCPR and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
Why is this important?
We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Grzegorz Gawel, a Polish citizen, Catholic monk of the Carmelite Order, and a recognized political prisoner unlawfully detained in the Republic of Belarus.
Grzegorz Gawel was detained on 4 September 2025 by officers of the Belarusian State Security Committee (KGB) and charged under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (“Espionage”). These accusations are manifestly unfounded and politically motivated, and have been officially rejected by the Government of the Republic of Poland.
Belarusian human rights organizations, including Our House and the Viasna Human Rights Center, have recognized Grzegorz Gawel as a political prisoner.
Since his detention, he has been held incommunicado. His place of detention has not been officially disclosed. There is no confirmed access to an independent lawyer or to Polish consular representatives. No court hearings have been scheduled. State media have broadcast so-called “confession” videos characteristic of coercion and psychological pressure.
As a religious figure engaged in humanitarian and missionary work, Grzegorz Gawel is being persecuted for reasons related to his identity, beliefs, and the broader repressive policies of the Belarusian authorities toward foreign nationals, religious actors, and civil society.
Recipients
This petition is formally addressed to:
- United Nations Human Rights Committee
- Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Copies of this petition are sent to:
- UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus
- UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
- European Union institutions responsible for human rights policy
- Council of Europe bodies and monitoring mechanisms
- Government of the Republic of Poland
- Governments of democratic states
