Lech Wałęsa to Group 24: “If I Were Young, I Would Stand and Fight Alongside You”
Gdańsk, Poland – June 18, 2026 A delegation of the political movement Group 24 met with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Wałęsa to discuss democracy, human rights, civil society, and the current political situation in Tajikistan.
The Group 24 delegation included the movement’s leader, Dilshod Sharipov, and its spokesperson, Sayidali Ashurov.
During the meeting, Lech Wałęsa reflected on his experience leading Poland’s peaceful struggle against communist rule. He spoke about the role of the independent Solidarity (Solidarność) trade union, the challenges faced by advocates of democratic reform, and how civil society succeeded in bringing about historic political change through peaceful resistance.
Drawing on decades of public service and political leadership, Wałęsa also shared his views on today’s political challenges and offered valuable advice to the representatives of Group 24.
One of the most memorable moments of the meeting came when Lech Wałęsa expressed his solidarity with the movement, saying:
“If I were young, I would stand and fight alongside you.”
He added:
“You will always have my support.”
These powerful words reaffirm that the struggle for freedom, human dignity, and democratic values transcends national borders and unites people who believe in justice and the rule of law.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed their commitment to maintaining dialogue and expanding cooperation in support of democratic values and the development of civil society.
The meeting with one of Poland’s most respected political and public figures, who not only witnessed history but also helped shape it provided Group 24 with a unique opportunity to benefit from the experience and insights of one of the world’s leading advocates of peaceful democratic transformation.
Lech Wałęsa has received numerous international honors throughout his distinguished career. In 1983, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle in defense of workers’ rights and democratic freedoms.
He was also among the first recipients of the European Order of Merit, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to democracy, freedom, and European integration.
