Andrei Sannikov: “Situation In Belarus Has Come to Dangerous Line” :: Charter'97 :: News

International coordinator of the civil initiative “Charter’97”, former deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Andrei Sannikov called the last resolution of the European Parliament on Belarus predictable. To his mind, the main thing is how the provisions of this document will be implemented in practice: “It’s a rather predictable resolution. But it is not clear whether the EU leadership and individual states would resort to more effective measures, because now it is evident that the situation has come to a very dangerous line. The Belarusian authorities have adapted to those words said about them by the EU, by individual countries, by the USA, and do not react to those unfavourable accounts of them. That is why more effectual measures are needed, and a discussion concerning what could influence the situation in Belarus. These could be measures aimed against separate officials, the highest leadership of Belarus,” Sannikov said in his interview to Radio Svaboda.

At the same time Mr. Sannoikov added that it would be good to freeze economical contacts important for the Belarusian regime.

The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka called passing the resolution a support of the democratic forces by Europe:

“Adoption of this resolution before the congress can be viewed as a political support of the forum itself. On the other hand, what concerns realization of the provisions of the resolution, it is not a simple question. We know that many resolutions have been passed. They were grounded on good intentions; however the parliamentary structures do not always have effective tools for its realization. And it is connected with the political will of those who pass such resolutions, to bring the efforts to a successful conclusion. I think that among the parliamentary structures the European Parliament is the most dynamic structure, they have certain mechanisms for influencing the European Commission, for instance. There is a hope that the question of running informational blockade, and localized sanctions against high officials who violate international documents and constitution, can be implemented,” Anatol Lyabedzka said.