Political prisoners' issue discussed in Brussels

Human rights issues were raised during a meeting with European officials.

Volha Kavalkova on behalf of the Organizing Committee on creating the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party met with European politicians in Brussels. In the course of meetings issues of human rights, political prisoners, women's rights, a political and economic situation in Belarus, as well as the impact of Ukrainian events on the society were raised.

The press service of the Organizing Committee on creating the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party informed charter97.org.

The meeting was attended by: Alexander Graf Lambsdorff - Vice-President of the European Parliament, Neven Mimica - European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Elena Valenciano - Chairman of Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament, Anna Záborská - MEP, member of the "Christian Democratic Movement" party in Slovakia, Silvio Gonzato - Director for Human Rights and Democracy, European External Action Service, and others.

"A silent EU dialogue with the Belarusian government leads to the strengthening of the Lukashenka's regime. Europe needs a strong and clear position on the Belarusian government. On the eve of presidential campaign it should be as follows: no repressions against the opposition and civil society, the release of all political prisoners, the registration of social and political organizations. Given repressions and non-fulfilment of these requirements, sanctions must be immediately imposed. Minsk meetings and arrival of European and American politicians, as well as their dialogue with the government is a mistake. It gives the government possibility to feel itself stronger. Mikalai Dziadok had to be released when meetings in Minsk, but he has been sentenced to an additional year, it shows government's attitude to democracy and human rights. And for 20 years already the situation has been worsening", Volha Kavalkova noted.