Leaders of the Belarusian Opposition Call on the Polish Sejm

In these hard times an independent Belarus needs assistance on the part of the nearest neighbour Poland and the entire European Union.

Participants in the hearings held today in the Commission for Foreign Affairs in the Polish Sejm state this. One of the leaders of the Belarusian National Congress Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, the leader of the Human Rights Centre Viasna Ales Byalyatski, Deputy Chairman BPF Party Ales Straltsou, coordinator of the European Belarus civil campaign Zmitser Bandarenka, editor-in-chief of Charter97.org Natallia Radzina, one of the leaders of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Dzyanis Sadouski, Deputy Chairman of the For Freedom movement Halina Skarakhod, Chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) Iryna Veshtord, co-director of the Belarusian House in Warsaw Ales Zarambyuk, Chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Ales Bastunets, director of Belsat TV channel Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy and others took a podium in the Polish Sejm.

Belarusian participants also appealed to the members of the Sejm and the Senate of Poland:

"Now Belarus faces a complex situation. An unsuccessful economic policy of the Belarusian authorities over the past 22 years has led to an acute economic crisis. This crisis has provoked a wave of social protests that have continued for the second month in Belarus. Repressions the Polish diaspora is subject to as well have enhanced. At the same time the situation in Belarus is getting worse. A serious moral, cultural and spiritual crisis matures along with economic catastrophe and the threat from Russia.

In these hard times an independent Belarus needs assistance on the part of the nearest neighbour Poland and the entire European Union. We must work out ways to persuade the Belarusian authorities to stop repressions and to compromise with the civil society and the democratic opposition.

Only the compromise and negotiations between the authorities and the opposition can save the independence of Belarus today and stop the slide in the depth of social chaos and regional instability. The Belarusian authorities themselves are unable to prevent this.

In the name of the responsibility for the future of Belarus, the Belarusian society must become a part of the political process and peaceful changes within the country. We consider that democratic elections should be organized in the near future in accordance with democratic norms, precepts of free political competition, transparency and an honest counting of votes for the future of Belarus and the internal consensus.

We call upon the authorities of the Republic of Poland, the nearest historical and ethnic neighbour, to support our efforts to hold a dialogue between the authorities and the Belarusian society. The friendship, kindness and experience of Poland to our people given before today is especially needed to preserve the independence of Belarus. The independence of Belarus is also a deep interest of Poland."