Alyaksandr Kazulin: “We know true identity of Lukashenka’s regime”

• 13.10.2008, 16:55

Former political prisoner, former candidate for presidency in Belarus Alyaksandr Kazulin told in an interview to the Charter’97 press center he didn’t believe the Belarusian authorities were able to start democratisation in response to lifting visa bans on Belarusian officials by the European Union.

“It is obvious that Europe starts new policy towards Belarus and puts out the welcome mat for the Belarusian authorities. Lifting sanctions happened in the moment, when no real step towards democratisation of the situation in the country. European officials made it in advance, counting that the authorities will take efficient concrete steps. But we know the true identity of the regime of Lukashenka and think these hope will hardly come true. If Lukashenka was ready to change, we would like it. Btu I doubt ion this, because he hasn’t changed his conscience for 14 years.

We noted many times that there were no steps towards liberalisation in Belarus. This was noticed in the EP resolution. If there were some changes, they were slight. Of course, it is good that political prisoners were released, but the reasons of appearing these prisoners weren’t removed.

I spoke at the session of the European Parliament that lifting sanctions on Lukashenka may cause depression of the civil society, oppressed by the authorities. Before lifting sanctions, the Belarusian authorities need to fulfil four conditions: change election laws, settle up a question of independent media, allow parties and NGOs to use their political rights, remove from the Criminal Code articles allowing to persecute citizens on politically motivated grounds,” Alyaksandr Kazulin told in an interview to the Charter’97 press center.