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The ‘Parasite’ Database May Be Expanded

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The ‘Parasite’ Database May Be Expanded

Employees of utility service are ordered to collect data.

In Belarus, "parasite" bases were created in winter. Since January, they have received higher utility bills. At the same time, experts say, many Belarusians were included in the database by mistake.

Recently, it became known that employees of the utility service were ordered to collect data in Brest.

Charter97.org asked the activist of European Belarus civil campaign, participant of the protests against the "parasite" decree in 2017, Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, for comments:

- I can say that they haven't visited us yet. Although my husband and I have been unable to get a job in Brest for more than 10 years, and we have two young children.

The thing is that people added to the "parasite" bases by mistake, prove the incompetence of officials. We know who is on these commissions and who makes up these bases. They don't care about ordinary people, much is being done in a slipshod manner. Lukashenka's regime is just trying to put Belarusians in such a situation when one has to prove one is not a camel.

Their logic is as follows: "Let add as many unemployed to the base as possible. Let them try to prove that they are not "parasites". Officials are trying to raise as much money as possible.

- How do you assess the fact that even those included in the database are charged with an increased utility?

- This is not fair. The Belarusian authorities, unfortunately, do not want to see our country as European. They are proud of it and despise Europe and its values, of course, except for the European money. They like money. This is the only thing they value.

They do what they want. They retreat only when people organise protests. 'Non-parasite' marches of 2017 proved it. The authorities need to be punished. They ignore the Constitution. If the regime needs money, it does its best to raise it.

- In Brest, employees of the utility service are made looking for "parasites". Previously, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and teachers had to do this. How do you treat this practice?

- They still run a mile from our family. They may fear that we know our rights and can fight back.

It is said that teachers, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the utility service allow this. You know, the current authorities see any civil servant as a slave. They can give any order - from falsification of elections to creation of "parasite" bases.

They are taken as those who can fulfil any order given.

- Are the civil servants themselves concerned about the moral side of the "tasks"?

- Belarus suffers from unemployment. People do their best to find a job. The civil service is available for those who have ties. Many people have to follow all the absurd orders of their superiors. Civil servants have their brains intensively washed.

That is, a normal person in modern Belarus does not make it to the civil sector. Do they want to do this?

- What is your advice to the people who belong to the "parasite" commission?

- You know, if they came to me, I would turn them from the door. Of course, the reality is that it takes personal courage. One should understand that if representatives of the authorities come to you, it does not mean that they act legally and have the right to demand something, to receive information.

In our case, it is the state that acts as an antagonist of the law.

- Since October 1, the unemployed will pay higher rates not only for hot water supply but also for gas and heating. What reaction can this cause?

- Today we see that, unlike in 2017, the authorities proceed with caution and avoid any undue haste. They allegedly do not add everyone to the "parasite" list but have chosen a certain category of people.

For example, in Brest, according to the official data, 23 thousand people got into the database. Nevertheless, only one category of people in the database will deny this regime what it longs for.

Logically, they will expand the database. It will increase social tension and the protests of 2017 may reoccur. They may become even more large-scale.

After all, they wanted a one-time payment in 2017, now every month they charge excessive utility bills against the real Belarusian salary. Brest, for example, has the lowest salaries in the country, while the prices are higher than in Minsk.

I am sure that more and more Belarusians will experience this decree of Lukashenka.

- May it happen that "parasites" join protests held in Brest now against the construction of the battery plant?

- Indeed, one can say that Brest has a tradition of resist. This is a fact. These are not spontaneous revolts, but a tradition. In autumn, the protest may expand.

I do want to point out the attitude of the authorities towards those working abroad. I have recently read that "parasites" have transferred more than a billion dollars to Belarus from abroad. Is the attitude of the authorities towards them fair? This is a rotten act!

A normal government would be glad that people reduce economic tension. The regime prevents people from working here, but it also wants to pick the pocket of those who work abroad!

In general, I'd like to say that people across the country should follow the example of Brest and fight back.

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