Maryna Adamovich: How long should we believe false promises?

The arrest of Pavel Vinahradau disproves all hints for liberalisation and a dialogue.

The wife of political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich spoke to charter97.org about a 12-day custodial sentence to a young activist.

“I thank Pavel Vinahradau and other young activists for their attempts to remind people about political prisoners, for their performance to support Mikalai Statkevich. I will do my best to inform him about the action,” Maryna Adamovich said.

The political prisoner's wife noted that the court decision shows the real intentions of the Belarusian authorities and can be considered a signal for European officials, who count on a dialogue with official Minsk.

“I was unhappily surprised by the news I read on the internet today. The European Union  welcomes Minsk's steps on improving relations, in particular, the country's decision to reopen the Swedish embassy and said the EU should find ways to better take into account expectations of partners.

We have said many times that the advances made by Europeans from time time do not improve the situation, as a rule. I would believe only actions. We see the following: Mikalai Statkevich is still under pressure, Ihar Alinevich was thrown into a punishment cell for 20 days, Pael Vinahradau got 12 days in custody today. It shows that no one takes the implementation of obligations seriously. The country promises liberalisation, but no one should be jailed for ordinary display of solidarity, even if it is considered to be an unsanctioned picket by the authorities. It doesn't comply with the declarative assurances of normalisation of the relations, but it is another demonstration of the authorities' intentions. Perhaps it will help the EU representatives to change their mind.

How long should we believe these 'hints' and 'signals'? I think only one signal is good – absence of politically motivated sentences, the freedom of expression and the release of political prisoners. Other things only lead to keeping the situation in Belarus at the current level,” Maryna Adamovich said.