Mikalai Statkevich: It's Time to Reimpose Sanctions Against Lukashenka

Lukashenka's regime has opened up the truth about its state.

One of the leaders of the Belarusian National Congress (BNC) Mikalai Statkevich stated that in the interview to Charter97.org when commenting on mass arrests of protest action on Freedom Day in Minsk:

- On Freedom Day Belarus and the world witnessed how tied our country was. The level of bondage is only increasing. The repression scale on the part of the Belarusian regime is only stepping up.

The authorities scared of mass march from Yakub Kolas Square, and on the eve of the holiday made some "concessions": they accepted the concert.

But March 25 became one more moment of truth: participants in the traditional festive march faced harsh actions, and audience was put in humiliating conditions and frames.

I am very grateful to those people, those patriots of Belarus who reached or tried to reach Yakub Kolas Square in Minsk in order to demonstrate their will to freedom. It proves one more time that the spirit of freedom, the spirit of BPR still exists in Belarus. And still there is one person in the country who fights for freedom, this spirit will exist.

I'm glad that the concert was a success. I think we should all be grateful to those talented young people who were able to organize an excellent event. At the same time, I want to join words of Uladzimir Nyaklyayew: "Concert only can't make Belarus free".

- Why do you think you and your colleagues from the BNC were released on the same evening?

- On March 25 the authorities showed their physical strength, but at the same time revealed their impotence.

Lukashenka's regime opened up the truth about its state: it has no resources for long-term repressions. In the evening of March 25 the authorities were to release almost all detained on the eve or on Freedom Day.

This confirms the thesis: one can be either a dictator or a beggar. One is not able to wear two hats. Lukashenka is afraid of his own actions, and we saw it again. Repressions against participants in the holiday had to be partially curtailed, remembering that he would have to beg for money again. Therefore, the dictatorship is not as strong as it seems at first glance, if it has to cancel its own decisions.

March 25 showed the protest and people's opposition represented by the Belarusian National Congress. And this is officially authorized "opposition".

On March 25 one thing we guessed before surfaced again: some media who work on the territory of Belarus and call themselves "democratic" take the side of the regime in many situations. Their behavior is disgusting.

- The brutal dispersal of a peaceful action on Freedom Day repeats for the second year in a row. What would be the most appropriate reaction of the West?

- I hope for a prompt reaction of European bureaucrats. I think it would be better to turn to civil institutions and organizations of the Eastern society, which can later influence politicians.

At least I seek solidarity on the part of the European community and a symbolic rejection of the Belarusian power. that day proved the time had come to reimpose at least those mere measures against Lukashenka's regime and he himself. Although they were mostly symbolic, but provided moral support to those who fought in Belarus.

The various forces belonging to the Belarusian National Congress will appeal to the international community in order to bring an indisputable fact to its attention: on March 25 the Belarusian authorities tortured detainees. People's Hramada, for example, will turn to the international social democracy.

- What specific facts can you mention?

- There are a lot of fixed facts, first of all from the Savetski district police department of Minsk. Female human rights activists had their fingers twisted , were dragged by their hair to make photo.

Activist of the People's Hramada Siarhei Sparysh was handcuffed not to let him move and was laid on the asphalt in cold weather. He was laying for four hours and policemen stood on him.

This is called torture. All these facts will be thoroughly recorded. I understand that the authorities will deliver a formal answer. But as soon as the situation changes, the evidence will take the floor again. And changes are inevitable, and justice will be restored.