Vatslau Areshka: Active boycott is only possible strategy

The so-called “candidates” are digging themselves a political grave.

It is said in an interview to charter97.org by a cultural specialist and a member of the organizing committee for creation of the Belarusian Movement (“Belaruski Rukh”) party Vatslau Areshka.

- Is it worthwhile to take part in the so-called presidential “election” in Belarus, taking into account the fact that there are political prisoners in the country, and that the authorities absolutely do not want to recognize this fact?

- I think that in the current situation the only possible strategy is an active boycott with a call to the population to ignore this “election.” In this context there is another possible variant, nomination of Mikalai Statkevich a single candidate, as a motivation to boycott, as the authorities would not allow him to take part in the election and thus political repressions are to be demonstrated. But with any of the possible tactics, participation in the “election” is an unconstructive move, to put it mildly. And the so-called “politicians”, who are looking for an opportunity to “participate”, are a minus for the image of the Belarusian opposition, it’s a destruction of the remaining trust.

- In which way the ban on boycott could be bypassed?

- There are many variants for that. The word “boycott” could be avoided. There are such definitions as “non-participation”, “ignoring” – there are many variants how to address citizens. On the other hand, in case Statkevich would be nominated by opposition in an organised way, and he would be denied participation – it would create a situation in which it would be easy to explain people why they should not participate in the “election.”

- And would it be possible to persuade those political groups which are already nominating their “candidates”?

- I think it is hardly possible already. These are the people who are simply digging themselves a political grave.