Appeal of the Political Council of United Democratic Forces to international community: Lukashenka brought Belarus back to the totalitarian system :: Charter'97 :: News

Authorities in Belarus introduced rules providing criminal responsibility for dissidents. All, but three members of Lower Chamber of the Parliament of Belarus appointed by Lukashenka have voted for the adoption of the repression changes into Criminal Code. Thus, authorities have brought back the ill-famous “dissident” article 57 from the Soviet past, which set forth responsibility for anti-soviet agitation and propaganda. By doing so, the regime has demonstrated that it has no support for victory at presidential elections and that it is intended to keep the power exclusively by force and repressions. Changes into the Criminal Code contradict to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus (articles 4, 32, 33, 34) as well as to a number of international documents signed by Belarus (Articles 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights).

In this situation the Political Council of the United Democratic Forces of Belarus:

- Appeals to the countries of G-8 with a call to put Belarusian issue on the agenda of the summit of the world leading states and demand from Lukashenka regime to immediately abolish the new law since it contradicts to the international rules and violates human rights;

- Urges members of the UN Security Council to bring the matter of human rights in Belarus for the consideration of the Security Council;

- Calls upon the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe, European Parliament, Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe and OSCE, and other interested international organizations to organize a special conference on Belarus in the beginning of the next year and work out conditions for Belarusian authorities to fulfill - implementation of these conditions would help to change political climate and provide organization of presidential elections in accordance with OCSE criteria;

- Appeals to the European Union, USA, governments of the countries which are not EU members, with a proposal to introduce a ban to enter these states for the individuals responsible for drafting and adoption of the repression law. In particular – for the chair deputy of Lukashenka’s administration Natalia Petkevich, KGB chairman Sukhorenko, chairpersons of the National Assembly Konopliov and Navitski. Political Council of the United Democratic Forces of Belarus asks to consider other individual measures towards people involved into gross violation of rights and freedoms of citizens, parties, NGOs and independent media in Belarus;

- Urges international community to adopt urgent measures on providing help for breaking information blockade in Belarus and supporting people who have been repressed by Belarusian regime;

- Calls upon international human rights organizations and international media to start a campaign of solidarity with Belarus – up till the time when the rules, which have legalized persecution for dissidence, are abolished.