Ukrainian deputy: Best strategy for Belarusian opposition is boycott of “elections”

Participation in the “elections” in Belarus is senseless, believes the deputy of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Ihor Huz.

The deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the organiser of the Belarusian detachment “Pahonya” in Ukraine Ihor Huz believes that the best strategy for the Belarusian opposition during the presidential “elections” is boycott.

Ihor Huz told about that in his interview to Radio Svaboda.

“I am in favour of boycott. And I advise Belarusian politicians to boycott the presidential “elections.” I am following the situation in Belarus closely, I know many political and public activists. Participation in the “elections” is pointless. If I were in the place of the Belarusian oppositional community I would agree to boycott only. It is very disappointing for me to observe what is happening in Belarus. And I have been observing that since 2003, when I first visited the Young Front congress for the first time. Since then I understand the political situation in Belarus rather good. I do not see any point in participation in the election campaign,” Ihor Huz said.

The people’s deputy of Ukraine says that participation in the “elections” could not be justified by an opportunity to agitate. According to him, it is possible to reach out and get their message across to the society outside the framework of the electoral campaign as well:

“The argument that one’s platform could be communicated to people during the campaigning, does not hold water. Generally, one can talk to them and agitate always, it is not to be done necessarily in the electoral period. It is difficult, but one could look for options. That is why I am in favour of the boycott, and I advise this tactics to Belarusian politicians.”

In 2005 after participation in Chernobyl Way, Ihor Huz, Head of the National Alliance (Ukraine) then, as well as four his associates, were detained and punished by 9 days’ arrest. The Ukrainian activists went on a hunger strike for the entire term of the detention. After release Ihor Huz was deported from Belarus and banned entry to Belarus for 5 years.