“We must take a moral stance”
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One and a half months have passed since the presidential elections in Belarus on 9 August. Violent arrests and brutal treatment of prisoners have taken place during this time, and almost all members of the opposition’s Coordinating Council Bureau have been arrested or forced to flee the country.
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Asked why the European Union (EU) has still not imposed sanctions on the Lukashenko regime, Linkevich points to the complex mechanism of the state union and the need to coordinate the positions of all member states. He acknowledges that the EU could have taken decisions more effectively not only with regard to Belarus, but also during the crises in Ukraine and Georgia. Linkevich believes that the EU should be given a greater foreign policy role than just an economic one.
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However, he said that EU sanctions could be announced next week.
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“We have to take a moral stance,” Linkevich said.
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However, sanctions alone are not enough. An independent investigation is also needed, as there have been reports of brutal and degrading treatment of protesters by the Belarussian authorities, including cases of rape.
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“It’s unthinkable in the 21st century,” Linkevich said. “Even if part of what we hear is true, it’s already too much.”
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At the same time, Western countries should also support Belarusian civil society and the free media, as well as victims of repression, according to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister.
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Linkevich pointed out that there was coordination between the EU and the US, which shows a serious approach.
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Belarusians must choose their own future
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Linkevich strongly emphasized that the future of Belarusians must be in their own hands.
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“Lukashenko has always tried to claim to be the guardian of sovereignty and independence.
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But in reality, his only goal is to stay in power at all costs. Even if you have to sacrifice the sovereignty and independence of your country.
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What he has done recently, not only with his people but also with the state, is the destruction of the last remnants of independence and sovereignty. He did it with his own hands, “says Linkevičs.
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As the Lukashenko regime weakens, it has moved closer to Russia.
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“I would say even more directly – [Lukašenko] is a former president, outgoing leader. Politically and morally, his mandate is long overdue. He cannot speak for his people. He can’t decide or, who knows, sign something on its behalf, “Linkevich said.
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He urges the international community to make it clear that the only next step is free elections in which the people of Belarus will be able to choose their new leaders.
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Linkevich also mentions that the Belarusians are not negative about Russia at the moment, but if Russia continues to support the Lukashenko regime, this may change.
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There is no foreign interference
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Mr Lukashenko said on Thursday that Belarus would close the border with Poland and Lithuania and strengthen Ukraine’s border guards. He has previously accused these countries of Belarusian opposition of trying to interfere in Belarus’ internal affairs, including by announcing in August Lithuanian “probes” – in fact, the interception of some balloons.
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“It is important that the international community takes a strong stand and helps these people, [kuri protestē]. Instead of interfering in internal affairs, which we are accused of from time to time, “said Linkevičs.
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He also pointed out that Lukashenko must not use sovereignty as an argument to oppress his people. Also non – recognition of elections no interference in internal affairs. “And offering asylum to those in danger, including Svetlana Tikhanovska, is not interference,” the Lithuanian Foreign Minister emphasized.
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Tihanovska went to Lithuania after the elections. Her husband, video blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, remained in a Belarusian prison where he was imprisoned after announcing his candidacy for the presidential election.
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The ineligible candidate, Valery Cepkalo, went to Poland for fear of arrest, where he was later joined by his wife, Veronica Cepkalo. She was involved in the joint Tikhanovsk election campaign.
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Marija Kolesnikova, the campaign manager of the imprisoned candidate Viktor Babarico, was also imprisoned before the elections. According to her contemporaries, who left for Ukraine, the authorities tried to force Kolesnikov to leave the country, but she tore up her passport on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border and thus remained in Belarus.
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The only member of the Presidium of the Coordination Council who is still at large in Belarus is a Nobel Prize winner in literature Svetlana Aleksijevic.
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The detention of oppositionists is “a sign of weakness, as the Coordinating Council is not trying to seize power, but is paving the way for free elections,” which is the only way out of the current political crisis in Belarus, Linkevich said.
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