Vital Rymasheuski: We are still excluded from political life

Belarusian regime only creates the visibility of improvements of the political situation in the country to please the West.

The charter97.org web-site received such an opinion from a co-chairman of the organizational committee for the creation of a party Belarusian Christian Democracy as he commented on the expiration of the punishment terms of five people, sentenced for the Square-2010.

“Despite that, many political prisoners remain behind bars. I had no doubts that Iryna Khalip’s trial would go without incidents. Practically Lukashenka sends the West a signal that some symbolic steps have been made. Nevertheless, we remain non-exonerated. This means that everyone, who was arrested for the Square: Andrei Sannikov, Pavel Sieviaruniec, me and all the rest, still have their criminal record not cleared. We cannot participate in full-scale electoral campaigns, including presidential elections”, - the politician noted.

He emphasized that by this the regime has achieved its goals – moved its opponents from the political field.

“Everything tells that the pressure not only does not stop, but increases on workers, pensioners and the activists of political parties and public associations. This means that there no real improvements, and we are freed from serving prison terms only for the record and to create the impression of changes. Even this is an induced step, because the authorities would extend the prison terms and pass tougher sentences with pleasure. That is why it is possible to say that there are no former political prisoners in Belarus, but there are actual hostages of the regime. They are not only political activists, but also simple citizens of Belarus, who are far less protected than politicians”, - Vital Rymasheuski is convinced.

We would remind that Siarhej Vazniak, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, Adnrej Dzmitryjeu, Vital Rymasheuski and Siarhej Marcaleu have their terms of punishment expired, which they were sentenced to for the event in the Independence Square in Minsk on 19 December 2010.