Mikalai Autukhovich: We Should Come To Square And Make It Clear We Are This Country’s Masters

Sole traders urge to take part in the rally on Kastrychnitskaya (October) Square on February 28.

A small businessman and a former political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich has addressed the conference of the leaders of sole traders, which has been held today by Razam solidarity movement in the headquarters of the Belarusian Popular Front Party, Radio Svaboda informs.

Mikalai Autukhovich informed that the situation is worsening for all sole traders: tax burden is growing, illegal demands are growing, people are turning into paupers. Haulers have to take loans to pay taxes.

“I do not like the position of Shumchanka (the leader of Perspektiva association – A note by charter97.org), who is disorganizing sole traders. We should gather on the square and make it clear that we are masters in this country. And that the authorities must do as we want. Nothing will work out without a confrontation,” – Autukhovich said.

Mikalai Autukhovich has also expressed his wish to hear clear political appeals and demands from political leaders on October Square in Minsk. As said by him, changes in the country should take place in package – not only in the economy, but in the entire state system of the country.

A sole trader from Zelva Viktar Lamaka told about the economic and social situation in the regions of the country. As said by him, people leave the country because of unemployment, and the economic problem is turning into a political one: the intellectual and demographic pool resources of the country are being undermined.

A Minsk sole trader Tatsiana Mironava urged Minsk sole traders, especially men, to support the rally.

Aliaksandr Makaeu noted that political demands are to be put forward, and a decision to stop paying taxes is to be passed.

The small businessmen also welcomed the meeting on March 14 and urged future participants to join the rally on Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk on February 28.

We remind that since January 1, 2016 Belarusian sole traders stopped trade massively. Since this date, under Lukashenka’s Decree №222, sole traders would not be able to sell consumer goods imported without certificates from the countries of the Customs Union.

Spontaneous meetings of sole traders have been held in empty market places and shopping centres since early January 2016.

Sole traders decided to hold nation-wide protest rallies on the central square of the country until the government cancels the decrees ruining small business. Another protest rally of sole traders is to be held on Sunday, February 28 at 3 p.m.