Andrei Sannikov’s speech in Palace of Republic (Video)

• 18.11.2010, 16:51

“Electoral fraud is a crime, which cannot be forgiven by any nation,” stated the candidate for presidency in Belarus.

Addressing the session of the Central Election Commission in the Palace of Republic, where the registration of the candidates for presidency was taking place, Andrei Sannikov reminded that Belarus is called the last dictatorship of Europe today. As said by him, the dictatorship started in 1996, when Viktar Hanchar was illegally removed from the position of the Central Election Commission’s chairman. 3 years later he was abducted and murdered. The world community suspects high-ranking Belarusian officials in committing this crime. Sannikov called upon all those present to hold a minute of silence in memory of Viktar Hanchar.

“Belarus is called the last dictatorship of Europe today. It is a shame for the country. But it is a truthful assessment of the present situation in Belarus. We can tell the exact date when the country started to slide into dictatorship. It is November 14, 1996, when the chairman of the Central Election Commission Viktar Hanchar was illegally unseated. He was abducted three years later. The world community suspects high-ranking Belarusian officials in being involved in his abduction and neutralizing highest officials of Belarus. Today Viktar is not with us. And I want to hold a minute of silence in memory of this great son of the Belarusian land.

Belarusians do not want to live under dictatorship. And today all of us have a historical chance to get rid of the dishonorable regime, to change it and to start building a new normal European Belarus. It is not difficult to do that. Laws must be observed, that’s all. In this situation much depends on members of the CEC, much depends on members of election commissions of all levels. Election fraud is a crime which cannot be forgiven by any nation, including Belarusians. However, no other nation could be as thankful for brave and honest deeds, as Belarusians. There are lawyers here, and they know perfectly well, like Viktar Hanchar knew that, that primacy of international law should be in the country, and according to it the nation is to have a right to elect its leaders. For many times in its history the Belarusian nation took matters into its own hands. I promise that I will do my best for Belarus to become free and democratic this year. The history is created today. We create our history, and we shall win!” Andrei Sannikov stated.