United States Congressmen Called To Deny Minsk Right To Host World Cup 2021
- 25.12.2020, 9:19
The American lawmakers have joined the protesting Belarusians.
Members of the U.S. Congress and European parliamentarians wrote an open letter to the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) demanding to deprive Minsk of the right to host the next World Championship.
This was reported on Twitter by Congressman Bill Keating.
"Your organization is planning to hold the World Championships next year in the capitals of Belarus and Latvia. We, members of Congress and parliamentarians from across Europe, believe that Belarus has lost the right to this privilege (organizing the World Cup), given the level of violence used by government forces against their own citizens.
As you are aware, at the beginning of August, during the coronavirus epidemic, to which the government did not respond properly, Belarus held presidential elections that were recognized as rigged by the international community. Therefore, Belarusian citizens have been protesting against the election results every day. Protesters, journalists and members of civil society have endured unspeakable violence on the part of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and the illegitimate government he heads. We join the protesting citizens in demanding that all those involved in these crimes be brought to justice.
Our message is clear: the voices of the Belarusian people must be heard, the repression of peaceful protesters must be stopped, all unjustly detained people must be released and new, free and fair elections should be organized. Lukashenka should immediately enter into a dialogue with the Coordinating Council, and new honest elections should be organized on the basis of international standards and with the participation of international observers.
This is why we ask you to reconsider holding the World Ice Hockey Championship in Minsk. The safety of our athletes is threatened by the state's continued violence against demonstrators and the irresponsibility of the COVID-19 pandemic. Belarus, like any other country that does not adhere to sports ethics and does not protect human rights, should not enjoy the privilege of hosting such an important event until the rights, freedoms and sovereignty of its people are fully respected and represented by the legitimate government," the letter reads.
We would like to add that 86 U.S. congressmen and parliamentarians from European countries have signed the appeal.
Earlier, 44 members of the European Parliament sent a letter to Fasel with a call to move the World Cup-2021 from Minsk.