28 March 2024, Thursday, 17:32
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Ales Bialiatski: Waiting for the EU and U.S. to Put Pressure on the Belarusian Government

Ales Bialiatski: Waiting for the EU and U.S. to Put Pressure on the Belarusian Government
Ales Bialiatski
PHOTO BY CHARTER97.ORG

Money that Lukashenka may get should not be spent for financing repressions.

Belarus and Kazakhstan have become the main topic for discussion organized in Washington by human rights organization Freedom House, Voice of America reports. "Obstacles or steps for civil society in Eurasia. Spot Coverage of the News" is the topic of discussion. Head of Human Rights Center "Viasna" Ales Bialatski from Belarus and Evgeny Zhovtis, Head of the International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Kazakhstan, were experts.

Experts took up a different position towards prospects for positive changes for civil society in Belarus and Kazakhstan. Ales Bialiatski noted that the potential for changes in Belarus was very high: independent Development and Production Facilities, mass media, Trade Unions. At the same time the human rights activist expressed confidence that the government would not be the difference maker: "authoritarianism is one and will not dig a hole for itself."

Ales Bialiatski noted that Belarus should be qualified not as the Eurasian region, bus along with Moldova and Ukraine as Europe. The Belarusians are those who will decide the future of Belarus. The essential way of development is the Western one, if compare Western and Eastern level of personal freedoms and security, the human rights activist is convinced.

In turn, Zhovtis says that Kazakhstan has 20 thousand of active Development and Production Facilities. However, he stressed that the absolute majority of them were subordinate structures. Moreover, they do not constitute a valid civil society.

Answering questions on current dynamics of relations between democratic West and authoritarian Belarus, Ales Bialatski expressed disappointment that sanctions against Lukashenka's regime were suspended while Western conditions had not been met except for the release of political prisoners.

"We are waiting for the EU and the United States to continue putting pressure on the Belarusian authorities aiming to extend democratic space and freedoms in Belarus, the Belarusian human rights activist said. -The Belarusian authorities really need good relations with the United States and the EU. The economic crisis, credibility gap between Belarus and Russia, lack of alternatives make the authorities to seek a foothold in the West.

Seeking financing the Belarusian authorities undertake talks with the IMF. In this regard, it is crucial, Bialiatski says, "not to spend money for strengthening of the regime, but on structural economic changes that are closely related to social and political changes."

With regard to the United States, Bialiatski recalled that there was Act on Democracy in Belarus with seven demands to the Belarusian Government on situation improvement on human rights and democracy. At the same time there is only one item is implemented, the human rights activist noted. He urged to fight for implementation of other six points. During these six months we can test the level of cooperation of the Belarusian authorities, their willingness to comply with their international obligations, Ales Bialiatski believes.

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