Stanislau Shushkevich's Granddaughter: Strikes Are Great Way Out

Workers can deprive the regime of money.

The Belarusians of Warsaw went on a hunger strike near the building of the European Commission for 10 days, demanding economic sanctions against the Lukashenka regime. The website Charter97.org talked about the results of this action with one of the participants - Stanislava Hlinnik, the granddaughter of the first leader of independent Belarus Stanislau Shushkevich:

- We have achieved sanctions, but, unfortunately, not all that we demanded. There are sanctions that we did not even think about, but we are glad that they were introduced. However, some of our requirements have not yet been met: these are sanctions against the timber production sector, as well as metallurgy. The last package affected metallurgy only partially.

The restrictions on Belaruskali are not bad, but as far as I understand, the sanctions start working on new contracts, that is, the contracts that were signed before the package was adopted are still valid. It turns out that we will see the real effect a little later.

So it's not bad overall. We are waiting for the new package that we have been promised. Let's see if wood production will be included. We raise this issue at the local level in Poland, because it buys 56% of the wood produced in Belarus. In fact, if we can convince the Polish market not to trade with Belarus, then this will already be a great result.

- Many politicians came to you, there were also letters of support, and even a well-known artist dedicated his artwork to you. How would you rate the solidarity with democratic Belarus abroad?

-It's amazing, we really didn't expect to achieve such a resonance and such sincere support from politicians. In principle, when you are from Belarus, you are not accustomed to the fact that a politician can just come to you, talk, and then go to the Seimas and speak there.

As for the executive branch, the European Commission, or bodies that are not elected by people, but appointed, then, of course, contact with them is more difficult. However, the scale of support is enormous. In any case, we find ways out, and contact with everyone. We are already being invited to private offices for conversations, we continue to work actively on the topic of sanctions, we just do it not from the streets, but at personal meetings.

- How much has the situation changed after Lukashenka hijacked the Ryanair plane?

- Europe saw that there is no dictatorship that does not affect them either. They realized that Lukashenka is capable of anything, now this is also their problem. If the topic is relevant in the media, then Europe always reacts sharply, that's why we chose this form of protest in order to maintain the degree of the topic after the situation with the plane.

We know how much is happening in the world, it could have happened as usual: the next day a new catastrophe would have occurred and the public would have turned away from Belarus, there would have been no effect. The most important thing that Belarusians need to do in Europe is to continue to actively involve their local media, politicians, so that the topic does not go off the agenda.

- Can we say that Europe has finally heard the voices of the Belarusians?

- Of course, you need to understand that any government is people. They understand what is happening, see repression, and worry. Sometimes they can do something.

When activists, non-profit structures, politicians, analysts, the public agree and act in one direction, then all decisions are made easily. They support us, and we must support them so that they go to meet us. It is beneficial for everyone.

- In response, Lukashenka announced the blocking of transit from Germany. Many experts call this a shot in the leg. Do you agree with this opinion?

- Of course, he cuts off funding for himself. Germany will find new transit routes, while Belarus earns most of the money on transit.

- What sanctions or methods of pressure should the EU still apply against the regime in Belarus?

- The sanctions have not yet affected all 100% of the industries that sponsor the regime. As I said, wood production and metallurgy, which are important industries, are not affected. They should also be borne in mind.

- How do you assess the current situation in Belarus and the “mopping-up” of independent media in the regions, started by the authorities? What should be done to stop the regime?

- This is expected, as we have been saying for a long time - they will come for everyone. The regime first took up the main heads, then they ran out of protest leaders, and they closed the main media outlets, and now they are switching to local activists and media. They say that they got the lists of people who signed for independent candidates.

What to do? We must resist, rebuff this system. Strikes are a great way out. I don't know to what extent our factories are really ready to go on strike, but this is a way out. Also, of course, continued economic resistance. We understand that now the situation for protests is very dangerous: we are now in a state of a concentration camp. What kind of protests can we talk about in a concentration camp? Strikes are a way out, because it is the workers who bring money to the regime, they will be listened to.

- How do you see Belarus after the overthrow of the regime?

- I see a free and democratic country, a parliamentary republic. Moreover, all the political movements that we now see will be represented in the parliament. I dream of seeing, let's say, the new opposition faction, and the Seviarynets faction, and the Statkevich faction, to see how these people will make common decisions.

Reforms will need to be carried out very quickly after the change of government. I am glad that they are already thinking about this ... I see a country in which there is a constant dialogue between the state, the third sector and society, and we are moving together to where public opinion decides.

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