You're reading: Poland calls on Belarus to release prisoners

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Polish parliament has passed a resolution calling for the release of prisoners of conscience in Belarus, the latest attempt by Warsaw to push for democratic change in the neighboring autocratic state.

The Sejm, or lower house of parliament, voted unanimously Friday in favor of the resolution, which condemns the political repression that has deepened in the former Soviet republic following elections in December 2010 widely deemed fraudulent.

The Polish parliament’s move comes at a moment of heightened tensions between Belarus and the West.

On Tuesday, Belarus asked the European Union and Polish ambassadors to leave the country, prompting the EU to recall all its ambassadors to Belarus.

Poland has taken a leading role in the EU in pushing for reforms in Belarus.