After the violent crackdown against more than 50.000 protesters after the presidential elections in Belarus more than 23 people, including 7 of the 9 oppositional candidates remain in custody of state authorities as of today. They face up to 15 years of prison, adding to more than 600 “minor” cases where protesters have been sentenced to up to 15 days of administrative arrest. The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) and the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) jointly call on the Belarusian government to end the continuing violence against activists the political opposition and human rights activists and demand the immediate release of all political prisoners.
Reacting to the developments in Belarus, European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) President Alexander Plahr commented: "This rigged election must have consequences for the EU's foreign policy. The times of lifting sanctions on the Lukashenko regime are definitely over after last week's events. A dictator like him and his associates should not be allowed to go shopping in the EU with their wives while back at home they violently suppress the opposition. We equally have to make sure not a single cent of European money flows into Belarus. Our principle has to be 'no more money to dictators'. The European Union must not provide Mr Lukashenko with the means to pay his thugs. European bank accounts of those involved with the regime should be frozen. EU-Belarus relations can not go on with business as usual. Therefore, EU foreign policy also should closely re-examine how it stands on Belarus' bid to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO)."
“We are shocked by the excessive violence which was used by the Belarusian government against the political opposition, journalists and representatives of the civil society on the eve of elections and throughout last week. All the promises President Lukaschenka made about fair and transparent elections and a democratic opening became null and void under the truncheons and boots of special police forces. The government of Belarus showed its real face once more and it is filled with brutality and paranoia”, says Thomas Leys, President of IFLRY.
“We will continue to strive for a free and democratic Belarus by working with our local partners and strengthening civil society. The strong reactions of the government show one important thing: The regime is highly paranoid, afraid of its own people and reluctant towards any compromise. We can see the dawn of Lukashenka’s reign very clearly now”, summarizes Leys.
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