Andrei Sannikov: Dismantling of Lukashenka regime has already started

 January 22nd, 2014

 

Repressive means are used to force parties to participate in the municipal elections.

The opinion came from the leader of the European Belarus civic campaign, candidate for president in 2010 Andrei Sannikov in his interview to the charter97.org web-site.

- How would you comment on Lukashenka’s recent statements on political prisoners Ales Bialatski and Mikalaj Statkievich?

- Yet again Lukashenka showed a cynical attitude towards the lives of people and that independent judiciary is totally absent in Belarus. Nevertheless, I am glad that after a long pause the talk started on the release of the leaders of Belarusian civil society.

This became possible, in my opinion, for two reasons. The European Union and the United States remained on principled positions, demanding the release and exoneration of all Belarusian political prisoners. Second, before the Ice Hockey World Championship the dictator wants to make it look like some kind of liberalization is possible in Belarus.

I would like to remind that it is not the matter of liberating people, who committed some kind of crimes, but the liberation of political opponents of the dictatorship, who are absolutely innocent by the norms of international law and Belarusian domestic laws alike.

There are many other political prisoners in prisons today, who need to be immediately released. I have a concern that between the statement and release of the political prisoner much time may pass, that is why Belarusian opposition, human rights activists, European Union institutions should increase pressure on the Lukashenka regime, instead of simply believing the dictator’s promises. Even more so that he promised to release political prisoners as early back as in summer 2011.

- In 2011, when you were in prison, many leaders of opposition parties and movements claimed that they would not participate in any elections, while there were political prisoners in the country. Nevertheless, now they are going to participate in municipal elections. 

- This is an issue of morale. Opposition leaders should differ from Lukashenka, who makes false statements almost every day. The retreat from the principled position has decreased pressure on the authorities and innocent people still remain in prisons.

It is to the advantage of the authorities if alternative candidates participate in their electoral shows. Already now it is possible to tell how many oppositionists will be there in municipal councils – zero, and all, who will be appointed there – are accomplice to the regime, ready to take part in crimes or cover for such crimes.
By their function municipal councils are adjuncts of the vertical, which do not decide anything at all. That is why if someone claims that one should run for municipal elections in order to solve communal problems or fight for clean houses, then local councils are deprived even of such functions.

- The ones running for the elections say that they intend to send the society the message that there are no elections in the country. According to them, the main thing is the legal opportunity “to send their message to voters”.

- Municipal elections are so insignificant and purposeless that I do not even want to speak of them. One should not get dirty for trifles. There are simple rules of a decent person: not to shake hands with scumbags, not to join the BRYU, not to take part in ”elections”.

This is true, in an adequate society parties’ duty is to participate in elections. But what we have is a dictatorship and one should not dance to the authorities’ fiddle. I would advise people to listen to the messages of the parties, but to go vote.

- Is this why the authorities have forbidden boycotting elections, because it is to their advantage if opposition participates in electoral games?

- They were frightened that people did not come to the so-called parliamentary election, and international observers registered the emptiness of the polling stations. The municipal campaign is of no interest for the population at all. By forbidding boycott Lukashenka wants to show the West that there are elections in the country, in which even opposition participates.

Lukashenka’s friends in the EU countries, who make business with the dictator, are interested in at least some manifestations of liberalization in Belarus. But it ended up as usual. Belarusian parties are forced to participate in elections with repressive measures.

The ban on boycott contradicts even the constitution of Lukashenka. The constitution says that each citizen personally decides whether to take part in elections and whom to vote for.

- Yesterday at a press-conference Lukashenka personally urged everyone to participate in municipal elections. Why?

- The answer is obvious: there is no money in the country. Instead of the promised 8.5% GDP growth there is zero. Russia, having promised $15 billion to Yanukovych, limits the subsidies for Lukashenka’s economy. Yet again there is a need to ask the West for money, for which at least some kind of window dressing liberalization is needed.

- Still, what should be done today in such a difficult situation?

- The situation indeed is very difficult, but even in such a situation one can act reasonably. The latest so-called parliamentary campaign showed that people denied creditworthiness to the authorities. One should understand today that the majority of Belarusians stand against Lukashenka as a dictator. This majority should be consolidated, information should be delivered through independent media, self-made media, principled stand.

The release of political prisoners should be main topic everywhere at all times. Even more so that we know what terrible conditions they are in, what kind of pressure they undergo.

I am sure that the real dismantling of the regime is not far ahead. One can say today that neither the political nor the economic model of Lukashenka’s is not working, while Russia does not have enough money to support all the dictatorships. Changes are happening through the region. One should be patient, but act decisively come the right moment.

Belarusian Journalist Oleg Bebenin Found Dead in his Summer Cottage

Oleg Bebenin was one of the founders and leaders of charter97.org website.

The body of Oleg Bebenin was found August 3rd, 2010 at 5.30 p.m. in his summer cottage not far from Minsk.

Oleg Bebenin was born in 1974. He graduated from the Belarusian State University, department of journalism. In 1990s he occupied the position of the deputy chief editor of "Imya", an independent Belarusian newspaper. Since 1998 he was the founder and head of charter97.org website. Oleg Bebenin had a wife and two sons.

What a great coincidence Oleg was working for the main opposition website in Belarus - http://www.charter97.org

Actions of the Opposition is The Only Hope to Fight the Dictatorship in Belarus

(by Andrey Sannikov, Civil Campaign European Belarus)

After the explosion in Minsk (on July 3rd, 2008), the regime uses this tragedy for arrests of activists of the democratic movement of Belarus instead of searching for criminals.

An unprecedented campaign on pressing the opposition and the civil society is carried out today. Organising pressing by the financial police of the State Control Committee, the authorities try to discredit the leaders of the democratic forces, human rights activists, journalists, regional opposition activists.

One of the leaders of the "European Belarus" civil campaign Zmitser Bandarenka, leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front Vintsuk Vyachorka, leader of the Party of Communists of Belarus Syarhei Kalyakin, human rights activists Ales Byalyatski, Valyantsin Stefanovich, Uladzimir Labkovich, Vera Stramkouskaya, head of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee Aleh Hulak, BHC members Tatsyana Protska, Harry Pahanyaila, Zmitser Markusheuski, journalist Iryna Khalip, as well as democratic candidates for the autumn "parliamentary elections" and candidates for members of electoral commissions were called to the Department of Financial Investigation and tax offices.

Hundreds of democratic activists in the country suffer from pressure of the financial police. The authorities act in a very cynical way by firing people at first and asking them to account for their financial status after that. Lukashenko has closed down dozens of independent newspapers, liquidated hundreds of non-governmental organisations, shut most of regional offices of opposition parties over the years of his rule. In fact, people who have democratic and pro-European views are banned from their profession. People are dismissed, their business is destroyed, employers are harassed for any activity, different from the ideology of Lukashenko.

The current events in Belarus look liked a carefully rehearsed performance, staged for the people and the international community by the authorities. As soon as Lukashenko begins to speak the elections will be fair and democratic, there comes a new wave of repressions against the opposition and the civil society. The more Lukashenko promises, the stricter actions of the secret services, riot militia, the whole administrative machine become. A list of repression measures that are already in use, namely unlawful arrests, beatings, tortures, trials, fines, prison sentences, firing and expulsion from universities, has been enlarged with tight financial persecution of the democrats and their family members. THE MAIN PURPOSE IS REAL ELIMINATION OF THE OPPOSITION AND THE CIVIL SOCIETY IN BELARUS.

It is played to take attention off secret and unlawful large-scale privatisation, carried out by Lukashenko's "family" and his inner circle. That is why legitimating the regime by means of the coming elections is vital for Lukashenko. The dictator understands his regime doesn't have international legitimacy, neither he nor his "parliament" is recognised nowhere in the democratic world. But without this recognition it is impossible to attract investors for saving the regime from economic collapse. He counts to hold an uncontrolled privatisation with the help of cynical businessmen from the West and the East. Moreover, the Belarusian state property is sold "on the cheap", because Lukashenko needs money right now to pay back foreign loans and credits, he took over the last time in large quantities.

A possible scenario of recognition of dictatorship is known: presence of two or three opposition figures in the "house of representatives" and making the most odious persons from Lukashenko's circle efface. According to the existing information, it is these conditions that are used by business groups to lobby Lukashenko's interests in Europe. It is used to cover up shameless robbing of the Belarusian people. Lukashenko purposefully removes the last areas of civil control: in fact, there are no printed papers in the country, the authorities are trying to destroy the Internet community in Belarus. Absence of freedom of press, flagrant restrictions on activity of opposition parties, factual prohibition on activity of democratic non-governmental organisations, absence of independent legal system are used by the authorities for secret privatisation, saving of the regime and personal gain. One may just recollect the extra-budgetary fund of Lukashenko, look at villas of officials in Drazdy, extra class cars, belonging to them and their family members, to understand who profits from the privatisation.

Even such a sell-out of the Belarusian state property will make the representatives of the authorities and businessmen close to them richer by billions dollars. The people will receive nothing from it. The opposition has always stood against this kind of privatisation. Any machinations with state property will have no legal force without public control. New government of the democratic Belarus won't recognise the results of such privatisation.

Lukashenko had all chances to accept the offers of the opposition and begin phased democratic reforms in the country. He didn't use them and launched a war to destroy the opposition by using his usual methods.

Only restoration of democracy and law in the country will allow to attract really serious foreign investors to our country, improve life conditions of the majority of the Belarusians, make them be shareholders of leading enterprises. That is why the Belarusian democratic opposition, defending interests of the people, has a key to privatisation now.

Andrei Sannikov, civil campaign "European Belarus"

Dictatorship in Belarus - Hot Spring 2008

(A New Against Opposition Hunting Season is Opened)

On April 4th, 2008 the United States Ambassador to the OSCE Julie Finley has reported to representatives of member countries of that organization about the US position relating recent events in Belarus.

In a special statement addressed to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna recent events in Belarus are recalled, including a brutal crackdown on participants of a peaceful rally on March 25, 2008 and a mass attack on independent journalists on March 27.

"We call upon Belarusian authorities," the statement reads, "to fulfill their commitments to the OSCE concerning human rights and basic freedoms, and to release Aleksandr Kazulin immediately, as well as peaceful demonstrators and journalists who were detained and imprisoned".

Nevertheless on April 16 (Wednesday) at 10 a.m. proceedings in the political "case of the 14" will start in the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk (Kirau Street, 21). M. Pashkevich, A. Bondar, A. Barazenka, P. Vinagradau, U. Syarheeu, A. Dubski, A. Straltsou, A. Charnyshou, A. Kim, A. Kojpisj, M. Kryvau, M. Subach, T. Tsishkevich, M. Dashuk are charged in the case of a protest rally of entrepreneurs which tool place on January 10, 2008 in Minsk.

As always young people are charged with violation of Article 342-1 of the Criminal Code: "Staging and preparation of actions grossly violating public order, or active participation in them". They could face up to 3 years of imprisonment under this article.

Is Belarus becoming a new European Zimbabwe? Sure, it does. Dictatorships are all the same on any planet and any dictator is never the people's servant but their Ruler. Any dictator is not living in a vacuum, he is always surrounded by his close "friends" (or gang members, if you wish). Any dictatorship has a typical mafia structure and is based on fear of getting rejected (or killed) by other members. Any dictator is a dead-walking man. As soon as he's loosing his power he is loosing everything very often including his life. There are no exceptions to the rule.

That's why any dictator is constantly hypocritical to his people. He just must lie in order to survive any longer. He just must throw to jail anyone who is telling him the truth that he is a pathological Liar. Any dictatorship is based on lies. Lies are everywhere - on TV, in the newspapers, on the radio, in the government, in economics, in politics, in the movies, in books, in schools, universities and kindergartens, in supermarkets and grocery-stores. And people must live inside those lies. They must believe that they can also survive with a $250 salary a month and dreaming about buying $150000 two-bedroom apartment. What people do not understand is that they can not survive without changing the system, without legitimately throwing away the illegitimate dictator and his gang. If nobody in the Belarusian government was elected by the people of Belarus why they do not have all the human rights to reelect a new parliament and a new real President?

Yes, they do have all the rights to do just that or Belarus will become a new European Zimbabwe with a record 85% unemployment rate (now in Belarus this rate is about 15%, and for sure, this is not an official but true number), 8000% inflation and so called president holding the power for 28 years (it's only 14 years for Belarus).

Yes, they do have all the rights to replace the illegitimate government before it led Belarus to economic collapse being criticized around the world for corruption, suppression of political opposition, economic mismanagement, and deterioration of human rights.

As always, there is an easy way out for the Belarusian authorities. Instead of fearing in expectation, if the European Union will join the U.S. sanctions, and making war with America, they need to release political prisoners, stop persecuting of the dissenters in the country, and hold free elections. But Lukashenko seems not to like this way out because it is a dead end for him and his gang. Just a reminder: Belarus expelled the United States ambassador and recalled its own envoy to Washington on in retaliation for U.S. economic sanctions which blacklisted Belneftekhim (supposedly the main source for Lukashenko's personal income), freezing the accounts of its U.S. representative office.

The president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, has urged the Belarusian government to immediately release the people arrested during a police crackdown on a demonstration staged in Minsk on March 25 on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic.

"The use of violence by the Belarusian authorities against peaceful demonstrators and the harassment of independent journalists are in contradiction to the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression and is not compatible with democratic fundamental rights," Mr. Poettering says in a statement issued on March 27, 2008.

"I strongly condemn the politically motivated detentions and the intervention against Belarusian citizens who are peacefully demonstrating their commitment to the values of freedom, democracy and human rights," Mr. Poettering says. "The European Parliament expresses its solidarity with all those who defend freedom and democracy."

Local Elections in Belarus - Results As Lukashenko Expected

MINSK, Belarus, January 16, 2007

About 7 million voters were eligible to take part in the election of 1,581 local councils in Belarus on January 14, 2007 and only 70% of them took part in the elections. The final results of this "vote" to be summed up on January 18 or 19. However, even now it is clear that opposition representatives haven't been allowed to be elected to local councils. Not even ONE of them! Only Government loyalists are allowed to get elected "democratically".

On January 9-13, 2007 almost 25% of voters have taken part in the early vote. The number of people who had taken part in the early vote is higher than in previous elections, and almost the same as in the presidential vote in 2006. Probably, the unique new Belarusian system of elections is created in stone? Or, probably, it is just the same old dictatorial system what Lenin & Stalin used in the Soviet Union for tens of years? The result is the same and the same people have the same power over and over again playing "election games" and electing the same ONE loyalist out of the same ONE loyalist. Same Sicilian Belarusian mafia is on the top and on the bottom of the society structure. White crows are not allowed to participate. Elections are only for black crows! No surprise there.

Belarus opposition and human rights activists denounced Sunday's vote as rigged, and the United States and the European Union said it failed to meet democratic standards.

As the United States Embassy in Minsk Press Release (January 15, 2007) says: "As in previous elections, the Government of Belarus denied to its citizens their freedom of assembly, association, and expression. Authorities used intimidation and arbitrary application of registration standards to exclude opposition candidates and severely restricted the access of registered candidates to voters and the mass media. We call upon the Belarusian authorities not to harm, threaten or detain persons for their political activities.

The United States congratulates those courageous Belarusians who, despite every obstacle and at great personal risk, struggled to exercise their basic human rights in the course of the local elections. We continue to stand with the people of Belarus and support their aspirations for democracy and freedom."

"There have been no free and fair elections in Belarus over the past decade, and these local elections weren't an exception," the main opposition leader, Alexander Milinkevich, told The Associated Press.