Seviarynets: There are people in EU who have financial gain from cooperation with regime

A political prisoner thinks Belarusians should not lay hopes only on Europe.

Political prisoner Pavel Seviarynets spoke to charter97.org about a proposal by Justas Paleckis, the EP Special Rapporteur on Belarus, to lift sanctions and start a dialogue with Lukashenka.

”The matter is only hidden pragmatism. Political prisoners are in jails, organisations cannot register themselves, repression goes on, activists are being arrested, the Belarusian language and culture are being eliminated,” the politician said.

He thinks lobbying for Lukashenka in Europe have various reasons.

”There are people in Europe who have financial gain from cooperation with the regime. There are countries that depend on transit of goods via Belarus. Some people in Europe think Lukashenka is a leftist. Pro-communist politicians tend to support the Belarusian dictator. I don't have any warm feelings about this tangle of interests,” the political prisoner said.

He emphasizes a dialogue can be started only if political prisoners are released and repressions are stopped.

“I'd like to repeat that you may demand something good for Belarus from Europe. But God gave this country to us, so everything depends on us. If Belarusians stand up together to press on the regime and demand the release of political prisoners, and everyone gets small victories in his or her place, we will be able to decide how to talk to the authorities,” Pavel Seviarynets said.