Ales Byalyatski: The year 2010 will be rather difficult for Belarusians

Human rights say the Belarusian authorities will tighten screws ahead of the presidential elections.

Ales Byalyatski, the vice president of the International Human Rights Federation, says human rights expect strengthening of repressions in 2010. He told this in an interview to BelaPAN.

The year 2010 will be rather difficult: two political campaigns are planned, elections to the local councils in spring and start of the presidential campaign in autumn.

“The experience shows that the more active political life in our country is, the tighter repressions of the authorities are. That’s why we think the problems of persecution of civil activists, repressions and restrictions of human rights and freedom of speech will be very acute,” Byalyatski said.

Human rights activists are ready to monitor the situation, estimate the events and processes, he noted.

Aleh Vouchak, the chairman of the organization “Legal Aid to People”, thinks the year 2010 won’t be very bright for human rights activists. “I do not expect liberalization, only tightening screws ahead of the forthcoming elections. It’s not a secret that Lukashenka is going to run for presidency again, so he doesn’t need liberalization in economy, policy, and society. No political parties and public organizations will be registered. They are dangerous for the authorities, because they work with people at the local level,” Vouchak said.