Statement by the Yabloko party, 28.07.2021

Photo by Viktor Tolochko/Sputnik

The present authorities of the Republic of Belarus have switched to the tactics of total destruction of mass media that are not controlled by the state, civil society organisations and dissidents.

After the refusal to recognise the real results of the elections and the suppression by force of a peaceful mass protest, unprecedented for Europe, the current Belarusian authorities have been repeatedly persecuting and suppressing any free opinion and expression of will. They deliberately come into conflict with the outside world, aiming at the only priority to maintain the monopoly of the political and economic power of Alexander Lukashenko.

At least 56 non-governmental organisations have been closed in the country. Dozens of human rights defenders, journalists and activists were detained in criminal cases. There is an attack on independent media (Belsat, Nasha Niva, Silniye Novosti, TUT.BY, Euroradio and others). Viktor Babariko, ex head of Belgazprombank, who ran for the presidency of Belarus, was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Sergei Tikhanovsky, Maria Kolesnikova, many hundreds of other activists who fought for fair elections and a democratic future for their country are also in prison. The charges against them are groundless and politically motivated: people are arrested simply because they have an opinion which is different from that of the authorities.

The Russian leadership fully shares the responsibility for the repressive policy of the Lukashenko regime. It was the Kremlin that acted as the guarantor of the preservation of this unlawful rule, providing it direct financial, informational and organisational aid. The fear of freedom, that the Belarusians will be able to choose their own future, and that after them the citizens of our country will want the same, led the Russian government to exchanging centuries-old fraternal relations between our peoples for the support of the dictator.

The Russian United Democratic Party Yabloko, on behalf of millions of its voters – citizens of Russia, – demands the release of all political prisoners and human rights activists! We wish freedom, peace and prosperity to the people of Belarus. We demand an end to the chauvinistic expansion and support of the dictatorship.

Nikolai Rybakov,

Chairman of the Yabloko party

Grigory Yavlinsky,

Chairman of the Federal Political Committee of Yabloko