Jacek Protasiewicz: “It’s time to tell the truth about the Belarusian regime”

“The regime of Lukashenka and democracy have as much in common as a chair and an electrical chair,” the MEP said.

The European Union won’t give up supporting the Belarusian opposition, said Jacek Protasiewicz, the head of the EP delegation for relations with Belarus, who visited Minsk on February 11–13. The MEP told in an interview to Polskie Radio the Belarusian authorities carried out a double-faced policy. “We cannot agree that the government gives promises in Brussels, but conducts a quite different policy in the country,” he said.

Speaking about the scandal about the Polish House in Ivyanets, seized from the unrecognized Union of Poles in Belarus, Protasiewicz emphasized the “civilized world and the European Union cannot afford to regard these actions by the Belarusian authorities as the normal state of things.”

“Only one comment is possible here – this is outrageous, this contravenes all international norms. This disqualifies the Belarusian authorities, who declare preparation for liberalization reforms in Belarus, strengthening freedom and democracy to cooperate with the European Union, but at the same time apply pressure on citizens. It’s time to tell the truth about this regime. This regime and democracy have as much in common as a chair and an electrical chair. The European leaders need to know this and I am going to convey this message to them,” the MEP said.

Journalists asked Jacek Protasiewicz if the EU and Poland admitted their policy towards Belarus was a mistake in this case. Wasn’t Europe too soft to the Belarusian authorities? They offered a hand, offered to take part in such programmes as the Eastern Partnership, but see such “thanks” of the Belarusian authorities in response.

“Different political methods are needed to improve the situation. The question is whether this policy has been successful. If we conclude there have been no results, the Polish government will have all rights to demand at the EP session to change this policy, because it’s no point in pretending Belarus has a normal European regime. There are the facts to prove it,” Jacek Protasiewicz said.