Zmitser Bandarenka: Belarus can become an example of Christian reconciliation

The political prisoner commented on Lukashenka’s recent statements.

Coordinator of the civic campaign European Belarus Zmitser Bandarenka replied to the questions of charter97.org.

- Zmitser, you have been exonerated after one year and four months in prison. You are obviously happy. And here it comes: “Two more hours and they’re back to prison”. What did it make you feel?

- I believe that Aliaksandar Lukashenka’s words should be treated seriously, because in our country, everything is decided by one man, and indeed, we can get back to prison any moment. I also realize that I can accidently have a heart attack, stroke or just happen to be knocked by a car.

- We know that prison took your health, and your ability to walk was at a high risk. Now Lukashenka has admitted that he knew about that.

- I can only welcome our release. And the fact that I was released on a great Christian holiday – the orthodox Easter. I was operated basing on the results of spinal tomography. They found a spinal hernia that was clutching a spinal nerve root and cause a partial paralysis of my right leg. I also had acute pains in the other leg. In July, the spinal disc hernia was removed and the nerve was decompressed. The surgery went well, I was recovering… In August I had the right to release because the confinement regimen was changed, but nevertheless they sent me to a reformatory. There was neither a release after the regimen change, nor a parole that I had the right to in December. In April, I had another tomography at the Mahiliou regional hospital, and it showed that presently I have four spinal disc hernias, and two of them clutch nerve roots. I was told at once that I need a surgery, probably even more than one. I think I wouldn’t have been released without the results of the tomography examination.

- What is the reason to Lukashenka’s harsh reaction?

- The most important thing that I’ve heard today in Contours (a Belarusian TV-program): “One more attempt to press, and they’re back to the reformatory.” I believe that this statement is first of all provoked by the European Union’s action.

- Lukashenka talks about an amnesty that will take place in summer. Is it a hint that the others will also be released?

- You know, I welcome this statement heartily, because an amnesty is something that prisoners in Belarus and in any other country look forward to. Earlier this year there came several statement by authorities from the prosecutor’s office and the General Directorate of Execution of Punishment that an amnesty is planned for 2012. And now I’m sure it will be done, and this is great.

The political prisoners should be exinerated during the Easter break.

- Some people think that when Lukashenka releases the political prisoners, a “liberalization” will begin, at least for a couple of years. Do you believe that Lukashenka can slacken the reins, just a little bit, until, let’s say, another presidential election?

- Lukashenka has emphasized that he keeps these promises. In August, when I was still in the prison in Valadarski street, I heard Aliaksandar Rygoravich saying on the radio that he was ready to start direct negotiations with the opposition in the near future. Today, the UN calls upon the Belarusian powers to immediately release all the political prisoners and start a direct dialogue with the opposition. I am convinced that when all our friends are free, the opposition will be ready to negotiations with the powers. And such negotiations can begin with the assistance from the Catholic and Orthodox churches. In this case, Belarus could become an example of a purely Christian reconciliation.

- What can make the dictator reconcile with the opposition?

- For the last 18 years Belarus has had Europe’s lowest energy prices, and Europe’s lowest salaries and pensions. Last year the GDP crashed from USD 54 billion to 40 billion. We witnessed an economic collapse, and the problems – economic, demographic, technological - only mount up. If there are no negotiations between the powers and the opposition, the country can repeat the Libyan or Syrian scenario. The Belarusian military and police are a grave problem. Today, armed people in Belarus earn 5-7 times less than their Russian colleagues. This is a direct threat to the national security and the regime itself. It cannot continue for a long time, so the best way out would be internal negotiations, a free election and an actual modernization with assistance from the West and the East.

- What is your plan? What can and what will you do under such circumstances?

- Right now I am considering several propositions of a medical treatment abroad. I definitely plan to consult Belarusian doctors who has treated me. My family have been through way too much when I was in prison, and I wouldn’t like to become a burden for my relative now when I’m free. And, of course, I hope for positive changes in our country.