Jana Szostak is a Polish-Belarusian activist whose profile rose prominently after a campaign that urged people in Poland and beyond to speak out for a minute in solidarity with Belarusians. She also stands as a candidate for the Sejm with the Zieloni faction, a group aligned with the Civic Coalition in Poland. The public and media attention surrounding Szostak typically centers on her long-standing activism and her evolving political ambitions, including participation in political events and public demonstrations where she highlights Belarusian issues and broader human rights concerns.
Szostak first emerged into the wider consciousness in August 2020, amid protests following Belarus’s contested elections. Her campaign invited people to express dissent for one minute as a show of support for those facing repression in Belarus. She carried out demonstrations, including a public act outside the Belarusian embassy in Warsaw, to call for accountability and to amplify awareness of the situation. This effort marked a turning point in her public engagement and set the tone for her later advocacy work.
Beyond protest activity, Szostak has contributed to movements advancing women’s rights and labor solidarity, aligning with Marta Lempart’s initiatives and taking part in related demonstrations. Her activism spans human rights advocacy, anti-authoritarian rhetoric, and calls for political reform in Poland, reflecting a broader commitment to civil liberties and democratic participation.
When discussing her political future in interviews, Szostak has explained that her decision to pursue elected office grew from a belief that meaningful change needed to occur in the near term. She has expressed concern that without decisive shifts in upcoming elections, the political environment could become increasingly challenging with each successive term, intensifying the importance of timely action.
Szostak has stressed that the current climate in Poland has prompted serious reflection about the country’s direction and the defense of democratic values. She described the moment as decisive, viewing it as a critical opportunity to influence national policy while safeguarding freedom and rights for Polish citizens. This framing situates her candidacy within a broader debate about the country’s constitutional principles and the safeguards that ensure civil liberties remain protected.
In candid conversations, Szostak has touched on wider political questions, including the implications of border policies. She characterized some proposals as unreasonable and questioned the necessity and efficiency of costly barriers, pointing to substantial resources already invested and suggesting that outcomes did not justify further expenditure. Her stance emphasizes thoughtful, evidence-based policy decisions rather than reactive measures, underscoring a preference for pragmatic approaches to security and governance. [citation: wPolityce]
Overall, Szostak’s path from activist to parliamentary candidate illustrates a broader trend of advocacy-led political engagement in Poland. Her public persona blends direct action with a push for institutional change, aiming to translate street-level concerns into legislative influence that can safeguard civil liberties and democratic norms. The ongoing discourse around her activities reflects a dynamic debate at the intersection of foreign policy, human rights, and national political reform, highlighting how grassroots advocacy can shape constitutional conversations and public policy in contemporary Poland.