Dear Editor,
Alexander Lukashenko is the President of Belarus since 1994. He is
known as Europe’s last dictator. Why? Because international monitors
have stated that every election he won after 1994 was neither free nor
fair.
The people of Belarus have now had enough of living under this sham. The declaration last August that Lukashenko had again won the Presidency and had secured 80% of the vote was too much to bear.
Since August citizens of Belarus have been peacefully and creatively demonstrating for a democratic future. But their peaceful protests are met with intimidation and violence.
The last six months have recorded unjust persecutions including hundreds of documented cases of torture against the opposition, civil society and journalists. Many students have been dismissed from universities and denied the right to
education.
Thousands have been detained and several hundred prosecuted on fabricated charges and denied the right to a fair trial. Even in the face of world-wide condemnation Lukashenko still grips on to power.
Today is a Day of Solidarity with the people of Belarus – our group joins with people and organisations all around the world that call on Lukashenko’s regime to stop their intimidation and violence and for inclusive national dialogue to take place followed by new credible and transparent elections.
Yours sincerely,
Niamh Donnellan
Edinburgh 4 Europe