United Civic Party urges authorities to stop political repression 11:12, 07/02/2005
The United Civic Party (UCP) has urged the Belarusian authorities to stop political repression and release political prisoners in a statement adopted on February 6 at the party’s special conference. “In an effort to retain power by all means, without hope for public support, the current Belarusian leadership has decided to fence itself off society’s influence,” the appeal says.
“Senior officials are afraid of criticism and public control over their activity, that is why they are trying to suppress the independent press, non-governmental organizations and political parties.” The UCP condemned the Ministry of Justice for ordering all party cells to re-register their offices. It also denounced what it called “harsh and unfair sentence” imposed on opposition politician Mikhail Marinich.
The authorities have purged the Committee for State Security (KGB) and ordered that its new chiefs counter all opponents of the regime, the appeal says. “The political regime has been evolving faster from authoritarianism into totalitarianism and self-isolation.”
The party demands the release of the jailed opposition figures, Mikhail Marinich, Valery Levonevsky and Aleksandr Vasilyev and appeals to the international community to display solidarity.
The UCP urged all political forces in Belarus to unite in order to return Belarus to a democratic path.
Dear Colleagues. Remember, please, you are expected to refer to the Charter`97 Press Center when using the site materials. News export , javascript-informer
, javascript-informer
