Yury Khashchavatski: “Elections” in Belarus are unashamed public deceit

The best thing citizens can do is not to go to polling stations.

Famous Belarusian film director Yury Khashchavatski said it in an interview with charter97.org.

– You were a member of the initiative group of Anatol Liabedzka, who wasn't registered as a presidential candidate, and the initiative group of Mikalai Statkevich, which wasn't registered by the Central Election Commission. What do you think about the “elections” in this context?

– What we have now is not the elections. This is not voting. This is an unashamed public deceit, lie and utmost cynicism. The best thing one can do is not to attend a polling station. For example, I am not going to vote in the “elections”.

I was a member of Anatol Liabedzka's initiative group, and we discussed that he would withdraw from the “elections”. He wasn't going to take part in this electoral farce. He was going to use an opportunity to carry out a campaign, which he did and continues to do. Mikalai Statkevich, another opposition politician whose imitative group I joined, does the same.

Some like to say about the “weakness” of opposition. No, it's not opposition that is weak. Our society is weak. I've just come from Georgia. They have an absolutely different society and different people.

In our country, many people just hide, remain silent and keep their head down. Living so is undignified. Our people should understand that they need to raise their head.

– What do you think about the campaign for free elections in Belarus carried out by Mikalai Statkevich, Anatol Liabedzka and other politicians?

– I think Belarusian politicians should use any opportunity to talk to people. Democratic leaders should speak loudly about their position and promote their proposals and programmes as widely as possible. They shouldn't participate in the electoral farce, but should carry out a campaign and talk to people despite the inhuman conditions they have to work in.

Opposition leaders do such work by organising rallies and pickets. In fact, they do the best they can. They should continue talking to people so that they don't allow deceiving themselves one more time.