Mixed reaction to European MPs` action plan to support democracy in Belarus :: Charter'97 :: News

Vintsuk Vyachorka, chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF), welcomed drastic steps in support of democracy in Belarus proposed by the European Parliament`s delegation on February 23. “It is important that European organizations are taking an adequate attitude to the Belarusian authorities,” Mr. Vyachorka commented on the delegation-proposed action plan, which calls for international recognition of the current regime as a dictatorship and Aleksandr Lukashenko as a dictator.

The plan suggests identifying and freezing Mr. Lukashenko’s personal assets and setting up alternative media outlets in neighboring countries among other measures.
“It is good that the proposed steps are not aimed against the population of Belarus, but against officials. This would prevent the Belarusian authorities from cheating Europe,” Mr. Vyachorka said.

He noted that the draft action plan would prompt the authorities to step up propaganda.
Valery Karbalevich, a political analyst, believes that only steps to support the media and civil society can influence the situation. “Other measures such as travel restrictions, the recognition of Mr. Lukashenko as a dictator and tough resolutions have been used before and proved ineffective,” he told BelaPAN.

He welcomed EP members’ attempt to devise a financial mechanism for supporting Belarus’ resistance movements.