From boycott of “elections” to boycott of regime

Organisers of the boycott campaign have held a press-conference in Minsk.

Representatives of a wide range of Belarusian democratic parties and organisations from 20 towns and cities of Belarus have taken part in the press-conference on May 11.

A co-chairman of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party Vital Rymasheuski, “European Belarus” coordinator Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, a co-chairman of the organizing committee for creation of the Belaruski Rukh (Belarusian Movement) party Viktar Ivashkevich, a representative of the youth organisation of the “Tell the Truth!” campaign Pavel Vinahradau and regional activists have taken part in the press-conference.

Speaking about the situation with the “elections” in the country, Vital Rymasheuski noted that boycott to the “election” would become the first step in getting over the fear, which reigns in Belarus.

“The fear has become a foundation and spiritual essence of the powers that be. Boycott of the so-called “election” would allow making the first move in overcoming this fear, the first necessary step for an organized people’s resistance,” he noted.

At the press-conference two informational websites of the People’s Boycott, boikot.info and vybaryby.net, were presented. The websites contain information about the boycott campaign, which could be printed out and disseminated among citizens of Belarus.

“The main aim is to make the first move from the boycott of the “elections” to the nation-wide boycott of the regime. We hope that finally all democratic organisations and the majority of democratic activists are to join us,” he said.

“All democratic organisations agree that there are no free and democratic elections in Belarus. That’s what unites us all. We are in favour of closer unity of the democratic forces. We shall also carry out closer cooperation with “For Free Election” campaign,” the former presidential candidate noted.

Meanwhile, two sessions of the organizing committee have been held in Vitsebsk already. “We are boycotting these elections from the beginning to the end. We are already disseminating the products concerning boycott of the “election,” noted a Vitsebsk activist Tatsyana Sevyarynets .

“We have set a task – to talk to people and convince them to resist, and not to take part in the “election”. We also participate in the preparation of the “election” observation,” she noted.

Representatives of democratic movements from Mahilyou, Vileyka, POlatsk, Vitsebsk have offered their vision of carrying out the boycott, and their vision of the situation with its preparation in the regions.

The co-chairman of the organizing committee for creation of Belaruski Rukh (Belarusian Movement) party Viktar Ivashkevich noted that the boycott campaign is held without any support from the Western states and structures, and sometimes even in defiance of their advice, as “until recently some of them drive party leaders to the “election.”

Shepherd

“There are much more people who are going to boycott the elections, than those who had heard about the boycott campaign. Our task is to inform them about the political emphasis,” Viktar Ivashkevich noted.

“I would like to attract attention to the fact that the goals of the People’s Boycott campaign are not directly connected with the election to the “parliament”. This “election” is one of the key stages, but the main objective of the campaign is to form a sound political force, which is based upon a wide grassroots support. One should understand that changes in our country are not going to happen at this farce orchestrated by the authorities, but only at the free election, and only when the Belarusian nation will really want it. That is why during the People’s Boycott campaign we address the people who want changes, who are ready to shoulder responsibility for the future of the country,” said “European Belarus” coordinator Alyaksandr Atroshchankau.

After that participants of the meeting discussed and passed the platform of the People’s Boycott.

Platform of People’s Boycott

1. The today’s regime in Belarus is the unlawful seizure of power, rampant violation of rights and freedoms, dead-end economic policy, international isolation and the threat to sovereignty of our country.

2. Under the circumstances, the attempts of oppositional forces to come into power, taking part in the elections rigged by the regime, are ineffective and promote its reinforcement. Talks with the regime are possible only after release of all political prisoners.

3. The consolidated pressure on the regime and protests against lawlessness are the most effective way to changes in the political and social situation in Belarus today.

4. Boycott of the “election” and other initiatives of the authorities, aimed at entrenchment of power, are legal forms of pressure on the regime by citizens.

5. Active participation in the People’s Boycott means protest rallies, informing and agitation of citizens of Belarus by the means of the press, internet and communication alive, observation over the course of the so-called election, defence of citizens from arbitrary actions of the authorities.

6.  Objectives of the People’s Boycott are: conscious ignoring of the false “election” by voters, recognition of this election as illegal by the majority of Belarus’ citizens, and the growth of the number of active supporters of democratic changes.

7. The main goal of the People’s Boycott is to get free and just election at all levels. There should be elections without political prisoners and privileged candidates. Only free election can return power to the people and give an opportunity for our country to come out of the political, economic and moral crisis.

8. Join the People’s Boycott! Set up committees of the People’s Boycott, spread information, take part in observation, look for like-minded persons.

The National Committee of the People’s Boycott