Harry Pahaniajla: Boycott should be tougher

In a non-democratic country elections are not an instrument of the interchangeability of authorities.

The opinion comes from charter97.org ‘s interview with the head of the legal department of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC) Harry Pahaniajla.

“I am not a politician, but I have a certain position as to elections. I think that in non-democratic Belarus, where a dictatorial regime is in power, such an instrument as elections cannot not be used for coming to power. But the campaign should be used for enlightening the citizens, demonstrating our position, which is different from the official, and suggesting our own ideas. Educating our citizens about how to stand for their right to choose and vote may lead to changes”, - the lawyer believes.

Harry Pahaniajla believes that the opposition should look for new ways to boycott elections.

“Boycott should be more aggressive, more decisive and efficient. This means the legal methods and forms should be found, which would allow to overturn these “elections”. Overturn with having the evidence of falsifications so that the actions of electoral administrations could be appealed and sued. We perfectly understand that the courts will not be impartial, but nevertheless, it is important for our citizens and the international community to show that such instruments do not work in these conditions”.

We would remind that starting from 1995 none of the election of referendums held in Belarus were recognized as free and fair by international organizations.