Lukashenka scared by EU sanctions: rally in Minsk was peaceful (Photo, video)

The rally of solidarity with political prisoners and families of abducted oppositionists was held on October Square in Minsk on November 16. Policemen were not hindering its holding, however there were paddy wagons behind the Palace of Republic.

Among the participants of the rally were leaders of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Zmitser Bandarenka, Zmitser Barodka, Yauhen Afnagel, Pavel Yukhnevich, the chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, “Young Front” leaders Mikalai Dzemidzenka, Nasta Palazhanka, former chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front party Lyavon Barshcheuski, director of the Free Theatre Natalia Kolyada, a well-known artist Ales Pushkin, “Razam” committee chairman Vyachaslau Siuchyk, a co-chairman of the organising committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party Vital Rymasheuski, activists of pro-democracy organisations and Minsk dwellers. More than 40 persons gathered on the square.

Before the rally activists of “European Belarus” made a firework right in the centre of October Square. Rockets were flying high in the sky while people of the square were chanting “Long live Belarus!” and “Freedom to political prisoners!”

For 40 minutes demonstrators were standing on the square with portraits of political prisoners Artsyom Dubski, Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka, disappeared oppositionists Viktar Hanchar, Anatol Krasouski, Yury Zakharanka and Zmitser Zavadski, a poster “We Remember” and white-red-white flags.

Policemen were not hindering the peaceful rally, which was unusual. They were just making video recording of the events and observed the rally. However, paddy wagons and police buses packed with riot policemen were standing behind the Palace of Republic.

We remind that all the previous rallies of solidarity on October Square were brutally disbanded by riot policemen, their participants beaten up and arrested. The peaceful course of this rally according to its participants, is related to the fact that the issue of extending visa sanctions of the EU against Belarusian officials is studied in Brussels today.

An activist of “European Belarus” civil campaign Zmitser Barodka came to the rally of solidarity though he marks his 35th birthday today:

“I would stay at home at the festive table with pleasure, but I would feel ashamed not to come. It’s a tradition that I celebrated my birthday on the square four last years. I have decided not to break the practice. Today the issue of extending visa sanctions of the EU against Belarusian officials is studied in Brussels. I believe sanctions should be renewed, though apparently moratorium would be prolonged. All the previous rallies on the square were brutally dispersed. As other participants, I was beaten up and arrested. This rally was peaceful. It is clear that the authorities have decided just to play a little. But all of us who have gathered here understand nevertheless that it is just a game by the authorities. Today’s rally hasn’t been disbanded, but tomorrow it would be disbanded for sure, as there is no democratisation in the country,” Barodka said to charter97.org.

Zmitser Bandarenka, a coordinator of “European Belarus” civil campaign, was on the square with a portrait of political prisoner Autukhovich:

“It is our old struggle with riot policemen. They prevent us from gathering on October Square, as we demand release of our comrades Asipenka, Autukhovich and Dubski. It is probably the first rally in half a year which was held peacefully. After all, it is our little victory. However, undoubtedly, it is related to the fact that the total foreign debt of Belarus today is 20 billion dollars. For comparison, imagine that the Soviet Union which was 25 times larger than Belarus in terms of population, would have 500 billion dollars. But the USSR have never had such indebtedness, it collapsed when its debt exceeded 120 million dollars.

That is why now Lukashenka needs money badly, all internal and external influence agents are mobilized to get these loans. The authorities would be eager to disperse this rally, but money are more important mow. It also demonstrates that the international factor means a lot here. If there wasn’t for this long history of these irrational concessions by Europe, free rallies in Belarus could have started long ago, and not only today, on the day when Brussels adopts a decision on sanctions,” Zmitser Bandarenka is convinced.

Artist Ales Pushkin arrived to Minsk from his native settlement of Bobr:

“A month ago I read what was happening on the last Solidarity Day October 16, and I was very surprised by inadequate reaction of the authorities. I saw video clips of chartyer’97 website, in “Nasha Niva”, and how journalists were prevented from working, how people were beaten up. I was stricken by that, and today I arrived here to watch what would be happening. And I have seen even greater cynicism. Today a decision is taken concerning European sanctions, and everything seems to be alright here. But if I am not arrested today, it does not mean I won’t be arrested tomorrow. The authorities can do whatever they want,” the artist is convinced.

Natalia Kolyada, the director of “Free Theatre”, has come to the solidarity rally with her younger daughter Dana:

“Free Theatre has always been standing for freedom in all its manifestations. Today I has come to the square with my daughter. I asked Dana why she comes with me today, and she answered that the 16th day is connected with September 16, when Anatol Krasouski and Viktar Hanchar disappeared. Anatol’s widow, Iryna Krasouskaya, is a godmother of my daughter. My child does not understand why people are murdered in her country, and how people who has the same native country as we, go against us: beat us, murder, imprison. That is why I am here wit my daughter today: we need to defend freedom,” Natalya Kolyada said.