Zmitser Barodka: «After meetings of dictator with Pope Belarusians are not allowed to pray near Roman Catholic church”
- 17.07.2009, 10:41
An activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Zmitser Barodka was detained on July 16 before the rally of solidarity near the St. Joseph’s church in Minsk began.
“I was detained on my way to the church. I was marching with Vasil Zhakau, a policeman in mufti approached us, showed his documents and asked where we were going. We said that he didn’t have a legal right to ask such questions. In response the policeman called up for reinforcement, we were packed into the bus where other detained were already sitting.
In the police department of Tsentralny district of Minsk we were asked why we came to St. Joseph’s church. We said that it was a traditional meeting on the Day of Solidarity, and that in general, people gather there every day and pray for return of the church to Catholics. St. Joseph’s church has become one of the symbols of Belarusian solidarity. Not only Roman Catholics, but Orthodox people and others who believe in better future, in changes, gather there.
In the police department badges with national symbols were snatched off the clothes of the activists. Some were forcibly fingerprinted. We were released in a few hours without reports being drawn up.
Nothing new has happened to me. One cannot expect anything good from this regime. Al the statements about liberalization are farce. I do not believe that the Belarusian regime could change. I have no illusions, so I am not disappointed.
I would like to turn attention to the fact that not only political rights, but rights of believers are trampled upon in the country. They are not allowed to pray near the church. It is rather strange, especially after the recent meetings of Lukashenka with the Pope,” Zmitser Barodka said to the www.charter97.org .
By the way, after release activists of the “European Belarus” came to St. Joseph’s church again and held a prayer service for return of the church to the Roman Catholic church and for release of political prisoners.