People's Quarantine Extended In Belarus Until End Of April
- 2.04.2020, 9:20
Deathly danger is threatening every citizen of our country.
Leaders of the Belarusian opposition and public figures have issued a new appeal to the citizens of Belarus. We cite its text as it is:
"Dear compatriots,
For the first time in its recent history, Belarus has found itself in a situation where every resident of our country faces a mortal danger. The COVID-19 pandemic that has spread all over the world has not passed us round. The number of cases of coronavirus infection is growing and the mortality rate is increasing.
We express our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the people who died as a result of this terrible disease.
Our country has found itself in a more difficult situation than all our neighbours and all European countries because of the authorities' criminal behaviour. Lukashenka has been demonstrating his complete inadequacy in the face of deadly danger and is doing his utmost to put people increasingly at risk. Intimidated officials, having lost all signs of human dignity, are actively assisting the dictator, setting at naught the lives of people.
The most despicable thing that the illegal authorities in Belarus are doing today is hiding the truth. Do not believe the propagandists who are telling us that lies are supposed to prevent panic. Lies, and especially lies at the state level, only increase the number of victims of the coronavirus.
The coronavirus epidemic has once again demonstrated how criminal the authorities in Belarus are. However, this time all the branches of power at all its levels are committing particularly grave crimes. Crimes against human life. Their actions fall under the articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, under the articles of international documents, to which our country is a party.
In a democratic State, the Prosecutor General would have long ago issued an arrest warrant for the despot ruler, the law enforcement agencies would have fulfilled their functions and arrested criminal officials, and the army would have been mobilized to help people during the deadly period of the epidemic.
We are just entering the most dangerous period of the epidemic. It will take courage for all of us to continue defending ourselves and our loved ones despite the authorities' inaction and even resistance.
Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians are participating in the People's Quarantine, taking security measures, helping each other, spreading true information.
The People's Quarantine should be continued.
There are many examples of selfless assistance during the epidemic in Belarus, which is what we are strong about. Today we should help our doctors and medical staff more than ever. And the main help to them is to avoid getting infected with the virus.
Huge thanks go to all those who are risking their health, serving us and our needs, selling and delivering products to us, transporting passengers and cargo, ensuring the functioning of our cities and villages, our homes.
Older people, whose risks are only heightened by the criminal inactivity of the authorities, continue to require special attention.
We call on citizens of Belarus to extend the People's Quarantine until the end of April.
Our solidarity, mutual aid, charity, care for our friends, relatives and elderly people should pose a counter to the authorities' crimes.
Long live Belarus!
Uladzimir Niakliayeu, poet, chairman of the For Statehood and Independence of Belarus movement, former presidential candidate
Andrei Sannikov, coordinator of the European Belarus civil campaign, former presidential candidate.
Pavel Seviarynets, Co-Chairman of Belarusian Christian Democracy
Mikalai Statkevich, chairman of the Narodnaya Hramada party, former presidential candidate.
Yury Khashchavatski, film director"