Valyantsin Stefanovich: Nomination of Statkevich is powerful solidarity action

Nomination of Mikalai Statkevich as a presidential candidate would become a solidarity action and a strong information campaign.

Such an opinion has been expressed by the head of Viasna human rights centre Valyantsin Stefanovich, commenting on the proposals to nominate Mikalai Statkevich, a political prisoner, as a single presidential candidate of opposition.

“Nomination of Statkevich as a single candidate is a complex issue. From the point of view of the politics, there could be many peculiarities and difficulties. But as we look at that as a powerful action of solidarity with the political prisoner, as a human rights activist I certainly approve this idea. If this issue would be brought up by the society at the most serious level, it would be very important,” he said.

The human rights activist believes that the idea of nomination of the political prisoner is an excellent form not only for a powerful solidarity action, but of an information campaign all over the country.

“It is extremely important for people to know that such a problem exists in the country, for them to understand that one of the presidential candidates from the previous election campaign is still kept behind the bars. And generally speaking, in fact every election campaign in our country is held for some person to be thrown into prison – candidates, activists, members of initiative groups. The society should know about that and remember that very well, as it is a serious indicator of “democracy” in our country,” the human rights activist believes.