The Council of the Socialist International Adopted Resolution on Belarus

The Council of the Socialist International affirms its assistance to and solidarity with the democratic opposition of Belarus.

One of leaders of the Belarusian opposition Mikalai Statkevich wrote on Facebook, charter97.org informs.

"The Council of the Socialist International despite protests of a representative of the Fair Russia who reminded of his Belarusian roots has adopted the resolution on Belarus.

The Council of the Socialist International

Geneva, July 1-2, 2016

Resolution on Belarus

The Council of the Socialist International affirms its assistance to and solidarity with the democratic opposition of Belarus, especially with its member-party People's Hramada and its leader Mikalai Statkevich. We condemn the continued suppression and criminal prosecution of the opposition by the president and his regime which constantly reduce the space for public dialogue and debates in the country.

The Council welcomes the long-overdue release of Statkevich from prison after four years and eight months of arbitrary deprivation of liberty, during which the SI campaigned for his release, and now welcomes his brave return to a leading role among democrats and opposition forces in Belarus despite his life and freedom hazards.

Although the upcoming elections demonstrate the traits to be the same farce as the previous voting, however, the SI once again urges the government of Belarus to initiate a free and fair electoral process and position of the democratic opposition to the regime. We are still committed to mobilization of supporters of the SI's parties, the government, international organizations in the hope of real changes in Belarus," the statement says.