Andrei Sannikov: “Only democratic Belarus can be a partner of Europe”

If Europe cooperates with Lukashenka’s dictatorial regime, repressions against opposition in Belarus will go on.

Leader of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Andrei Sannikov told this in an interview to the Charter’97 press center. On May 7, he took part in a rally in memory of former interior minister Yury Zakharanka, kidnapped and killed 10 years ago, where dozens of the participants were beaten and detained.

“Today’s arrests have again demonstrated Lukashenka’s vision of the Eastern Partnership program. The dictator has stated several times he will take part in any programs offered by the EU but only on his own conditions. He has been demonstrated this today even before the EU summit on the Eastern Partnership in Prague ends. Lukashenka heard well signals from Brussels: the Belarusian regime can participate in the new Europe’s initiative if it doesn’t recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Brussels didn’t bring forward any other conditions, so a mass attack on human rights in Belarus is an accidental.

The Eastern Partnership program can really become a prospective stage for Belarus to join the EU, but not under Lukashenka’s regime. If Europe continues deluding itself by believing it’s possible to deal with the dictator, his answer to the opposition will be harsher every time.

Today’s courage of people on the square, Mikalai Autukhovich’s hunger strike, a relay hungry strike to support him are more important for Belarus than diplomatic contacts with the regime’s servants in Prague. Only democratic Belarus, for which the Belarusians are ready to risk their lives and health, can be a full partner of Europe in all areas of international relations,” Andrei Sannikov told.