Aliaksandr Dabravolski: Only firm position of EU will lead to changes in Belarus

A dialogue between Minsk and Brussels is impossible without the release of political prisoners.

Aliaksandr Dabravolski, a Belarusian politician and director of the European School of Political Studies, said it in an interview with charter97.org.

“A dialogue is a good thing, but now I see only the imitation,” he said. “I am afraid that political prisoners will not feel any changes. The attitude towards them is the main sign showing whether we have the liberalisation or not.”

– The Eastern Partnership summit is due to open in Riga in a few days. Representatives of official Minsk will participate in the event.

– It's clear that Belarus must be in the Eastern Partnership. It is right that out country participates in the summit. It is also good that Lukashenka, who violates human rights, won't go to Riga. As for European politicians, they should find a balance between security and their values. I think both things can exist together. There's no need to give up European values to solve security issues.

– How may the balance you are talking about look like?

– It's difficult to say yet. I wouldn't forecast it. There always are the so called pragmatic politicians who ignore values. I think their number is growing due to the events in Ukraine that scared both Europe and the entire world.

European politicians should understand clearly that the Belarusian authorities, unfortunately, are not able to rule the country properly, respecting people and respecting political opponents. They understand only force. So, only a firm position of the European Union, first of all the demand to release political prisoners, can lead to changes. They rest is just a game that the Belarusian authorities win, because they don't want any changes, let alone those posing a threat to them. Strangely enough, Minsk considers any independent political activity and any free elections to be a threat.

– In 2010, both the Belarusian authorities and European politicians were speaking about a dialogue between Minsk and Brussels. The talks ended on December 19 with the violent dispersal of protests against electoral frauds and the arrest of hundreds of people, including presidential candidates...

– Unfortunately, we again see this danger today. We know the tendency. Nevertheless, the dialogue is necessary, but the EU should have a firm position – the demand to stop political repression. It must be the first condition for the improvement of relations.