Demand for “Brussels list”

Demand for the “Brussels list” remains while the regime exists.

A new variant of the Brussels blacklist for Belarus was officially published on October 30. It includes 232 individuals and 25 companies. The European Union extended targeted restrictions against Belarusian officials for a year. The relative decision was taken by the EU Council on October 29. Thirteen individuals and 5 companies owned by Vladimir Peftiev were removed from the list, but Peftiyev remained subject to sanctions. Three more officials were added to the blacklist.

The decision provoked a hot discussion in the media and on social networking sites. Negative intonations and opinions prevailed. There are more questions than answers. The main question is whether the number of lowlifes in the governmental bodies has reduced in the ratio 1:4.

At the same time endless discussions on reducing the “Brussels list” are counterproductive. It makes sense for Belarusians to begin preparing a similar list of lowlifes and rascals. We have enough potential candidates. The top correctional officers of the prison, where Autukhovich was almost killed, commanders of the “squadrons of fear” terrorising different districts across the country, criminals preparing to rig the results of the forthcoming local election, people in judge's robes... There are much more rascals than three prison officers.

It can be a task of the council of people of high moral reputation and famous human rights activists. Every citizen, political group or NGO must have the right to apply to the council asking why this or that official, judge, election commission member should be included in the list. We should begin to make our list right now, so that we could send Brussels the final list (with descriptions and reasons for every candidate) in September 2014.

What are the advantages of this decision? It will be hard for Brussels bureaucrats to ignore these proposals. At least an open discussion will be needed. It means we will have an opportunity to speak about crimes committed by representatives of the uncontrolled Belarusian authorities. Secondly, it is an offensive strategy, not a wait-and-see stance. We won't be external observers, we will be participants of the process. Thirdly, this work will be needed in Belarus and it will be needed even more when changes come.

It is a proposal not only for discussions, but also for actions.

Anatol Liabedzka, specially for charter97.org