“Respublika”: “We Fight Against Outlawry And Arbitrariness” :: Charter'97 :: News

Deputies of the group “Respublika” Valery Fralou, Uladzimir Parfyanovich and Syarhei Skrabets who went on hunger strike yesterday in their offices in the building of Parliament, have made a statement to the citizens of the country, representatives of world community and deputies of the “chamber of representatives of national assembly”, in which they said that Lukashenka’s term extension is intolerable. “The existing powers are certain that they would rule endlessly. But is the foundation of this regime lies terror, violence and repressions against those who has courage to criticize the authorities,” reads the statement. The deputies told that they are ready to consider the variant of voluntary retirement of Lukashenka from the position of the president of Belarus. In this case they are ready to guarantee to him immunity. The term of proposal expires with the beginning of the constitutional referendum procedure. Since that time, the MPs told, “Lukashenka would not be freed from responsibility to Belarusian people and law even by a supernatural being”. This statement was handed to the representatives of embassies, diplomats accredited in Belarus, with request to inform their governments about it. The text of the statement follows:

The appeal to the deputies of the House of Representatives of National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, citizens of the country, representatives of world community

We oppose lawlessness and arbitrariness

Within one year, using our constitutional right of the legislative initiative, we achieve inclusion in the agenda of session of a bill "About modification and supplements in the Electoral code of the Republic of Belarus". If even some of them are accepted electoral process will become more democratic and transparent.

But the leaders of the country, having usurped all the authority in their hands, are not satisfied with this. The silent parliamentary majority submits not to common sense, but to instructions coming from the administration of the President.

According to our data, "vertical" votes with prepared beforehand documents in so-called problem districts, providing in this way the necessary result of voting. This scheme succeeds due to support of the constant and devoted members of the electoral commissions, and usage of samples of signatures of members of the commissions,.

The Electoral code that functions nowadays limits observers` opportunities. It does not guarantee openness and transparency of Electoral process that promotes numerous infringements and the results of the elections juggling.

Using this trick, the existing authority system is sure in its infinite ruling. But this governing is based on terror, violence and repression of those who has courage to criticize this authority.

The criminal essence of the ruling mode in Belarus revealed in disappearances of well-known Belarusian politicians Jury Zaharenko and Victor Gonchar, businessman Anatoly Krasovsky and journalist Dmitry Zavadsky, in suffocation of a freedom of expression, liquidation of civil institution, prosecution, detention, arrests and imprisonment of people who have their own point of view on processes going on in the country and who can express their thoughts openly.

We are authorized to declare:

Mister President and sirs who accompany you! We are well informed about your plans on the organization of the next constitutional revolution. But it`s not 1996 now, no referendum is possible.

Alexander Lukashenko is the President only until he executes his functions within the framework of the present Constitution. If he tries to alter it once again, if he only declares this, even within the framework of a referendum, he will immediately lose his legitimacy and will become an ordinary citizen who can be criminally persecuted. However, as well as people who are close to him.

We declare, that we are ready to consider the variant of A.Lukashenko voluntary retirement from the posittion of the President of the Republic of Belarus. In this case we are ready to guarantee his diplomatic immunity, safety of his property, bank accounts and free departure from the country.

Our offer is valid until the beginning of the constitutional referendum procedure. Since this moment even the sky will not rescue A.Lukashenko from the responsibility before the law and Belarus people. to affect a situation

Having exhausted all the opportunities to affect the situation legislatively, including numerous appeals to you, mister Lukashenko, dear colleagues - deputies, before approaching constitutional revolution (change of the Constitution to please President Lukashenko`s ambitions) we, deputies Valery Frolov, Sergey Skrebets and Vladimir Parfenovich, declare that we go on hunger-strike without time limits at our workplaces in the House of Representatives.

We demand:

1. To stop political repressions and to change the preventive punishment of the the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus Michail Marinich.

2. To include in the agenda of session the bill "About modification and supplements in the Electoral code of the Republic of Belarus", to consider it and to create conditions for free will of Belarus people during elections.

We address to you, dear deputies, with hope that you will support our requirements, as many of you perfectly realize, that fear and an arbitrariness governs in the country during these 10 years, that it can lead to a social explosion and even greater wave of violence.

We address you with a desperate request not to allow the constitutional revolution to become true, to act against the referendum on prolongation of Lukashenko`s powers, that can result in the country`s greater self-isolation, strengthen lawlessness and arbitrariness, ruin not only your future, but also the future of your children.

We tell you once again: come to your senses! We talk to you with hope that at last our words will reach your reason and hearts.

Our hunger-strike is the next desperate attempt to force you to become thoughtful about destiny of our people, about destiny of sovereign Belarus.

Deputies of the House of Representatives:

Valery FROLOV

Sergey SKREBETS

Vladimir PARFENOVICH

June 3, 2004.