Pavel Seviarynets: Aim of opposition is not to allow regime legitimisation

Non-recognition of the “elections” and de-legitimisation of the regime are the basic principles of the Belarusian democratic forces.

Leaders of Belarusian opposition Mikalai Statkevich, Anatol Liabedzka, Uladzimir Niakliaeu and Pavel Seviarynets said at a press conference in Minsk on August 28 that they wouldn't run in already rigged “elections” and demanded new elections under control of the democratic community.

Did it become a platform for the formation of the consolidated democratic force in Belarus? What plans do its leaders have for the near future?

Pavel Seviaryents, a participant of the press conference and co-head of the organising committee to create Belarusian Christian party (BCD), spoke to charter97.org about it.

– Can we say that that a areal coalition of democratic forces on the common platform has appeared? If so, what are its aims, tasks and actions?

– This platform is being formed right now: non-recognition of the so called elections and prevention of the legitimisation of the regime in the West and in Belarus is the aim of all healthy democratic forces in Belarus. People are opening their eyes right now, in the last weeks and days.

I think most supporters of democracy already joined this platform. It must be developed. The press conference is only the beginning. I don't doubt that absolute majority will join this position. Those outside the platform risk their democratic character.

If someone supports the electoral farce and participates in it, it will be a big question if they are democrats, a part of the democratic movement and an alternative to Lukashenka or just a part of the authoritarian system.

– Will the politicians uniting on the democratic platform call to actively boycott the “elections”, in this exact wording?

– How can you participate in what doesn't exist? I always ask people about it, and everything becomes clear. Refusal to participate in the “elections” is the basic principle. But it must be followed by actions to delegitimise the Lukashenka regime and actions to unite ourselves. Talking that we don't have elections is one thing, but uniting our forces for real actions and changes is a completely different thing. I hope the next month will sort everything out.