Tatstsiana Seviarynets: Lukashenka’s Sitting on the Volcano

There are shifts in the nomenclature as well.

Mass pickets for signature collection for alternative candidates were held in 37 cities of Belarus on June 7. Tens of thousands of Belarusians took to the streets of their cities to support freedom and changes. The authorities got scared of such activity and co-chairman of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Pavel Seviarynets was detained at a legal picket in Minsk.

Charter97.org spoke to the mother of an opposition politician, a well-known activist from Vitsebsk, Tatstsiana Seviarynets.

- When I realized that Pavel's son Frantsishek and his wife Volha had seen his detention, I only thanked God that the child was young not to understand what had happened to his father. When you see all this, the feeling of self-preservation turns off and you rush to boot these authorities out.

I saw people trying to stop the car with Pavel. Belarusians stop being afraid. The majority realizes that it cannot last anymore. Lukashenka's words are already criminal; he has no legal right to participate in elections.

Society cannot live like this. People should live by the laws that everyone obeys. Lukashenka told everyone not to breed corruption and immediately appointed his sons as his closest colleagues. When the CEC commission answers to the presidential candidate Viktar Babarika that it is allowed to be rude, is it a legal?

- Does Vitsebsk collect signatures not only for alternative candidates but also for withdrawing Lukashenka from the election?

- Yes, we just left pieces of paper and there was a line. People signed them and passed them on to each other. Nobody put spurs to anybody. The residents of Vitsebsk saw them, took the initiative, and called their friends as well.

In one hour we collected 83 signatures. This is a great result. It shows that not only candidate Babariko, who expressed his dissatisfaction and demanded to remove Lukashenka from the election, but also other people join this campaign.

- Tens of thousands of people take part in pickets not only in Minsk but also in the regions. What are the residents of Vitsebsk concerned about?

- June 7, we had no sound-amplifying equipment. People formed small groups and communicated. There was a person who had something to say. People spoke out on issues of concern. Many of them spoke for 10 minutes or more. It was a spontaneous rally.

Participants shared their stories: unfair courts, poor housing conditions and their efforts to fix everything at their own expense. People told about their jobs. My friends tell me that their management at work require them to sign for the person we all know. It incites anger, but not everyone realizes if one refuses to do this, a person standing nearby will do the same.

- Has the coronavirus, which hit Vitsebsk so hard, become a catalyst of protest moods?

- Yes, this virus brought many sufferings. People at the picket shared their methods of treatment, inability to make tests in Vitsebsk, rejection of a hospital to accept them, funerals of a mother, a sister. There was neither time to transport all coffins nor place in the cemetery to bury them.

People realized that a person's an empty place for Lukashenka. This policy line is being practised everywhere. Official statements are the best proof. If earlier there were attempts to calm down, do something, now they say "we take it under advice". The feeling of impunity turns this power into a criminal gang.

Everyone said that Minister Karanik was such a good doctor, an oncologist... Since you are a doctor, a person and the health are of the highest priority. No way. His position and salary come first.

Protest moods are very strong today. Look, Belarusians are ready to sign for anyone but Lukashenka.

Secondly, people stood up for Siarhei Tsikhanouski in Hrodna and later for Pavel! On the one hand, I feel upset. On the other hand, I am so grateful to these people.

- You have repeatedly participated in various campaigns for the release of political prisoners. How should we do today, when so many people are under arrest?

- Society must demand the release of its leaders. There is so much work to do for lawyers and human rights defenders that they must work round the clock. Keep calling to the U.N., the Council of Europe, all embassies.

During this campaign, people joined the commissions to collect signatures. One needs to know how to fill in documents correctly. One also needs to know how to behave when collecting signatures, what rules and laws one should obey. One needs to be able to defend the interests of a candidate in the district commissions as well. Human rights defenders should also provide assistance in this regard.

In 2011, I won the UN trial with the help of human rights activist Pavel Levin, who wrote letters and prepared documents. Many people give up on this! We have to ensure for Belarus to comply with the UN and Supreme Court decisions on human rights. Human rights defenders, we need to cooperate with international organizations.

It is great that at least Siarhei Tsikhanouski is now recognized as a political prisoner.

- Judging by the pickets you attended, are Belarusians ready to change the power in the country?

- I do want to believe in it because people are already sick of it. It's high time for Belarusians to speak out. I heard many things at the pickets. I can no longer think about my safety. I want to believe that our tears and battles are not in vain. A geyser can burst and calm down. We can't do it anymore.

There are also shifts in the nomenclature. Lukashenka is sitting on the volcano and his entourage can see it. The candidates for the presidency - Tsepkalo and Babariko - are great indicators of it. It is difficult to say how sincere they are. Time will show, but after Lukashenka's words addressed to them, he should become enemy number one both for Babariko and Tsepkalo.

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