Anatol Labiedzka: Paletskis’ recommendations lead to situation’s freezing

Sanctions may be cancelled and contacts with Belarusian regime intensified only after the release of political prisoners and free elections.

The chairman of the United Civic Party Anatol Labiedzka said that in an interview to the charter97.org web-site. This is how the politician commented on the publication of Justas Paletskis’ report, which has recommendations to change the European Union’s policy towards official Minsk.

“It is worth noting that the document has not yet been accepted by the European Parliament. Now any MEP can introduce his/her amendments. Apart from Justas Paletskis there is a person in every parliament group, responsible for this document. There will be a discussion over his report and we should use the possibilities to contact and communicate with MEPs in order for the final report to be strong, for it to contribute not to the situation’s conservation, but changes.

Justas Paletskis’ synopses are, at least, arguable. If we speak about lifting targeted restrictions against high-ranked Belarusian officials, then it is necessary to answer one question: have the reasons for their inclusion into the black list disappeared? If, for example, a judge got there because of politically motivated verdicts, then Paletskis’ response should be the following: “Independent judiciary has appeared in Belarus, and such verdicts are no longer passed”. If it is the case, then, of course, there is a reason to lift the restrictions. But the practice shows that politically motivated verdicts keep being passed today just like they were passed yesterday. The same may be said on the rest of the examples. If the reasons for introducing restrictive measures against these people have not disappeared, then we cannot speak of their exclusion from the list. It is logical and corresponds to common sense”, - Anatol Labiedzka stated.

The politician believes that it is premature to speak of intensifying contacts between representatives of Belarusian authorities and the EU.

“We should not squander now, but concentrate on solving most important issues. First of all, on the release of political prisoners, second – on holding free elections. After they have been held, there will be opposition representative in the parliament and local authorities. When it has been realized, we will be able to speak of intensifying contacts with Belarusian authorities. In the situation, when there is no election, the issue of cooperation is at least arguable. In the essence, it will lead to conserving and freezing the situation”, - Anatol Labiedzka stated.