Rymasheuski: Blocking anonymisers is another result of Lukashenka's “dialogue” with West

Concessions by the EU gives the Belarusian authorities a free hand for further repressions.

Politician Vital Rymasheuski, co-head of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party (BCD), told charter97.org that the deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus was the result of the EU's new policy towards Belarus. The EU's concessions without any conditions have given the Lukashenka regime a free hand: ridiculous laws are adopted one by one to restrict access to the independent media and extract money from people who become poorer every day.

“The closed trial against Mikalai Dziadok, pressure and harassment of independent journalists, the worsening situation of freedom of media in Belarus and new unprecedented laws that violate economic rights of Belarusians, lead to new extortions and violate the right to receive objective information against the background of visits by EU officials to Belarus, resuming a dialogue without any conditions despite earlier resolutions – these are different sides of the same coin. These facts are interrelated. The deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus in all spheres is the result of the new policy of the EU,” the politician thinks.

– What is the EU's new policy?

– In fact, the Belarusian regime received a signal: no more strict requirements for democratisation for the sake of relations with the West. The signal was heard. It's possible that Lukashenka's presence at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga in May will be the culmination of the new policy.

– What about democracy? Why is the EU ready to give up their principles and promises?

– Unfortunately, care for the EU citizens is the priority for many Europeans, while respect for human rights in such neighbouring countries as Belarus is given less attention. They “buy” Belarus's neutrality in this way.

I think it is a mistake. We already see the consequences. It is a wrong policy and it will lead to even worse consequences that will hit both Belarus and the EU.

– Are there any chances to change the current course?

– Only Belarusians themselves can change the situation in Belarus and attitude to the country. It is obvious. The country's future and the EU's behaviour depend on the ability of the people of Belarus to defend themselves and resist the regime. The Belarusian regime ignores its people. More and more European politicians begin to agree with this stance. It depends on Belarusians whether the situation will change.

The example of Yury Rubtsou is very illustrative. He had courage to express his position and speak against the regime. He went to the end and the price was his freedom. Unfortunately, we don't have many such cases in Belarus. Any demonstrations of violence will be profitable for the regime. It will give the regime an opportunity for provocations and new repressions. So, I am speaking about peaceful protests. If more people are able to show nonviolent resistance, it will change the situation, because the EU won't be able to ignore political prisoners and gross violations of human rights relating to arrests and imprisonment.

– In other words, the EU does not want to defend those who do not want to defend themselves, does it?

– The European Union does not and cannot defend even those who give their lives to defend themselves. We see it in Ukraine. Moreover, the EU has neither desire nor strength to defend those who don't defend themselves. The Belarusian society seems to be ready to tolerate everything and avoid struggling.