Mikalai Kazlou: This Is the Last Summer for Lukashenka

The Belarusians will manage to reverse the situation and change the regime peacefully.

The picket of solidarity was held in Minsk on June 18. People built up a living chain of several kilometres. The action lasted for about seven hours. The next day, June 19, tens of thousands of people joined pickets of protest and solidarity all over Belarus.

The leader of the United Civic Party, Mikalai Kazlou, was one of the initiators of the pickets of solidarity. The politician answered the questions of Charter97.org.

- Two days in a row something incredible happened in Belarus. Why did so many people take to the streets?

- First of all, people were outraged by the injustice of the authorities towards strong opponents. This is disregard for public opinion. The Belarusians won't tolerate the fact that this government doesn't take them as people any more.

Secondly, the events with candidates mobilized people. You see, now Belarusians think differently: not just Tsikhanouski or Babaryka are jailed but people feel like they were also caged. I have the impression that people mature in the political sense took to the streets.

I would like to note that the actions started with pickets for signature collection. People do this on their own. What happened these days after 9 pm is the initiative of people, their internal need. It was obvious that nobody organized them on purpose.

They wanted to tell the authorities that they did not agree with the outrage. Horizontal way of protests worked out.

It was even difficult to find a leader in solidarity actions. People organized themselves. That's great.

- In 2010, alternative candidates and opposition leaders also found themselves in the detention centre but people managed to defend them. What has changed in the country since then?

- The situation has changed radically. In 2010, there was no critical mass of discontent, outrage. Still, some part of Belarusians was satisfied with the situation then. Now we see that it is already impossible to preserve the status quo. We feel it when we walk in a trolleybus, walk down the street, talk to a stranger. We observe this outrage and desire for changes fills the air. It comes from every person.

On Thursday, June 18, there was only a small part of these wonderful, brave, honest people at the picket. Believe me, these are amazing people. I was at that picket when it rained hard. They were not hiding. I asked them just to hide and wait, but they denied. There were a lot of people like that. It was moving. They are amazing people...

- The EU leaders have clearly expressed their support for the protesters and demanded the release of political prisoners. What EU measures would damage the authorities?

- First of all, the economic ones. I am very pleased to hear that the EU has finally remembered the values. European values must be put at the forefront.

I do hope that the sanctions will be targeted. Secondly, they'll be personal. Lukashenka and his entourage cherish only their well-being. He's just trying in vain to prove himself as chairman of the state farm. However, he's wrapped up in luxury. I think we'll have a chance soon to see how he lived. Then Viktor Yanukovych will be ashamed of his relatively modest way of life with his golden batons and everything one found in his residences.

That's why personal and economic sanctions are so crucial. We should prevent Lukashenka from taking money from the European Union and spending it at his sole discretion.

- You mentioned Yanukovych. Experts point to a series of errors in the story of his fall. Is this factor also valid against the current Belarusian authorities?

- Yes. It happened for the first time when the decree on parasites was adopted. It was a slap on the face of every citizen, especially those who faced hardships. People rose then. They weren't ready to tolerate it.

The collapse arrives faster to the regime. It's triggered by provocations, rhetoric, disregard for the people, inadequate actions during the pandemic.

This is typical behaviour of Lukashenka; he does not care about the Belarusian people. That's why he says that we have "no coronavirus", "we do not need quarantine". I have a feeling that he just wanted to get rid of the elderly and sick people. At one time fascist Germany did the same in the 1930s.

Lukashenka's behaviour was the reason for people's attitude towards him. Belarusians are no longer ready to tolerate this man in power. This indignation has just coincided with the elections. I believe that we will manage to reverse the situation and change the regime peacefully. When millions of people take to the streets, no repressive apparatus will be able to cope with them. Lukashenka will have to resign.

- At the Solidarity Picket, you told that Lukashenka was already scared.

- He's really scared. He says some things that a normal person cannot come up with. All obvious provocations, arrests, falsified criminal cases are the result of his fear. He is afraid of the Belarusian people, losing his chair, parting with his harem, residences and planes.

As for the law enforcement agencies guarding him, some of them are standing next to the trough. They may stay with him until the end because they are bound by crimes. Let us remember that there are people who are involved in the disappearance of politicians, including those from our United Civic Party.

As for the middle and lower levels of security services, I periodically communicate with them and know their real sentiments. The vast majority do not like what is happening. On the one hand, the police behave brutally, but I will tell you that this is a small part of the police, a group of scumbags who make a career. The vast majority of the police fight crimes, ensure law and order and perform their duties. This part, they make up the majority, will join us as soon as they see that Belarusians have risen. I have no doubts about that.

- I've heard that people have won the first fight, the first round. What to do next? After all, even the protest candidates and political prisoners have not yet been released.

- We have to play by the ear. Turning back to solidarity with political prisoners, let me remind you that I took to the streets when both Babaryka and Tsikhanouski were arrested. Then I received my fine for "feeding pigeons".

I believe that we must show solidarity with all those who are detained, deprived of their liberty. We should support these people by all means.

We should not let Lukashenka run another term.

We have only two months left, even less. We just need to postpone some daily routine. These two months determine our future life, the fate of our country and every person in particular. Let us set one goal and change this power.

Let the Belarusian people decide who will be the president, not the "old soldier" Yermoshyna. For all these 26 years she has been defining what a "voter wants". Let's put an end to it.

We can demand Lukashenka to leave and do it peacefully. The more people take part in the protest, the more likely it happens.

- How high are the chances for the power to change this year?

- I do believe in it. This is the last year and the last summer for Lukashenka. This is the twilight of Lukashenka. I don't even want to think about what will happen on August 10. I believe that we should solve the problem during the election campaign.

Now there is the most legitimate opportunity to change the power. Today, in a week and on August 9th we should come together and solve this problem. Just put aside everything personal and deal with this issue.

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