Parasite From Drazdy Settles Next to Every Belarusian Family

Officials recover costs for their luxurious lifestyle.

The second "parasite epic" comes to its climax. The database of the "not involved in the economy" is created until December 1; since January 1 "parasites" will receive new 100% rent bills.

At that, Belarusians living abroad, according to the authorities, have to inform commissions about their job and provide copies of labour agreements.

To reveal "parasites" within the country, they have started to use teachers: it is known that teachers collect information about their parents' work and their salary.

Charter97.org asked famous Belarusian film director Yury Khashchevatski to comment on the decree on "parasites".

- How do you assess these methods to reveal "parasites"? By and large, the decree on "parasites" is the division of citizens into two groups, one of which is pressed.

- The devision occurred long ago in Belarus. We are divided into Drazdy inhabitants and others. Drazdy inhabitants pay rent bills at extremely low tariff rates. Just remember how much long-term resident of Drazdy Mikhail Miasnikoch pays for water. Mass media covered this information.

Luxirous lifestyle at low tariff rates should be somehow compensated. Other Belarusians pay the rest. These Belarusians also involve "parasites", and these seeking means to support their families.

Everyone should imagine an additional member in his family. Figuratively speaking, parasites from Drazdy settled next to every Belarusian family. Everyone support not only his family but also them. It cannot be mentioned at once.

We support them by paying enormous taxes. We support them by growing utility charges. We support them with excises we have to cover, when we want to buy more or less good products abroad.

Every Belarusian has a Drazdy inhabitant on his neck. But they can't stop wanting more. It's one.

On the other hand, they try to settle rules practiced in the 1930s, when everyone served as informant.

Pavlik Morozov was the most favorite hero of the Soviet power. Pavliks Morozovs spread all over the country. You can remember how Sergey Dovlatov wondered what to do to millions of denouncements written by Soviet citizens.

The Belarusian authorities took it a step further: people working abroad should rat on themselves. As they say, change is all around us. That's how Drazdy inhabitants imagine the mar of history. Everything should evolve, so you should rat on yourselves.

It's the final stage. I hope it is. But I know there will be continuation.

But this mutant reality cannot exist for long. I guess it will collapse. I do not know how it happens, but it will be scandalous.

- What should people working and studying abroad do? Is there any oppornity that the authorities are trying to create a spy network?

- Of course, it is evident.

According to the law, people do not have to provide any information, if the country they work in has the paragraph on defense of personal data or restrictions to disseminate such information.

Belarusians should be aware of it and obey laws of the country they reside in. Thus, it makes the resistance to illegal requirements of Lukashenka's regime possible. One should ignore all requirements and demands of this power.

Belarus has been long missing the very principle of legality. It started with violation on "referendums" initiated by Lukashenka. It has resulted in existence of the illegitimate regime in the country. Every person trying to play by the rules of this power falls behind the law.

Every Belarusian should think wisely and decide who he is: a joint offender or a normal person. And if he is a normal person, he will never obey these illegal claims. In order not to become a joint offender.

- One of heroes of Konarmiya by Isaac Babel offered to create the "the International of good people" as counterbalance to the International grounded on violence. Is it time to create the International of normal people against the Belarusian regime?

- Gedali from Zhitomir offered this concept. This option is a good one to resist the dictatorial system.

Being among first people who signed it, I remember that it was the key objective of Charter-97 initiative.

That is, it's not about creation of other structure, but every person should realize the necessity of unification against those who seized power more than 24 years ago. So that everyone could realize that it's about survival of the Belarusians as the nation. And joined the fight against the regime.

It's the matter of the instinct to survive. That's the core of the problem.