Action in Memory of Missing Oppositionists Held in Prague :: Charter'97 :: News

Joint action “Requiem-2002”, marking the second anniversary since the killing of the Ukrainian journalist Georgy Gongadze and third – since the disappearance of the prominent Belarusian opposition figures Viktor Gonchar and Anatoly Krasovsky was held today, on September 16, in Prague. The action was held by the “Belarusian community abroad” and the Ukrainian political organizations in the Czech Republic.

The organization members claim that Belarus and Ukraine experience similar problems and the Ukrainian democrats always upheld their Belarusian colleagues during the street rallies in Minsk. So, at the joint meeting it was determined to picket the Ukrainian embassy at 10-12a.m. The event attracted 32 individuals. Today the BCA passed a statement of support of the All-Ukrainian opposition action, held in Kiev. Following comes the text of the statement:

“The Ukrainian president Kuchma was second only to Putin to recognize the results of the last year’s presidential elections in Belarus of Sept. 9. Although the whole world recognized them invalid over the numerous blatant violations and direct falsifications, Kuchma once again confirmed his friendly ties with the dictatorial Lukashenko. Doesn’t he know what’s going on in Belarus, how they beat and kidnap the regime’s political opponents? How the official Minsk sells arms to terrorist backers and leads to complete impoverishment the whole of the Belarusian nation? Kuchma surely knows that but still dares support in open a scoundrel from the “Gorodets” state farm.

Tell me who your friend is and I will tell you who you are – there’s such a saying in the country.

So we demand that the individuals who occupy top presidential posts in Belarus and Ukraine give them up now!”