Democratic forces’ representatives distribute the statement with reference to the cruel dispersal of the protest action of December 19 (photo)

The statement was voiced at the press-conference in the office of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) party on December 21. It was signed by the leader of the Movement For Freedom (MFF) Alaksandr Milinkievich, the candidate for president Ryhor Kastusiou, the BPF party head Alaksiey Yanukievich, the representative of the United Civil Party Leu Marholin, the representative of the candidate for president Andrey Sannikau – Viktar Ivashkievich, and the head of the Razam (“Together”) Solidarity Movement Viachaslau Siuchyk.

The text of the statement:

THE STATEMENT

We, the representatives of democratic parties and civil organizations of the Republic of Belarus, consider the peaceful protest of the citizens against the flagrant ballot-rigging during the election of the president of the Republic of Belarus to be their inalienable constitutional right, and the inadequate use of rude force by the authorities against the peaceful demonstrators to be a crime.

No acts of provocation – such as broken doors – could justify cruel beating and arrests of thousands of people.

We express our solidarity with the arrested candidates for president Ales Mikhalevich, Uladzimir Niaklayeu, Vital Rymasheuski, Andrey Sannikau, and Mikalay Statkievich, and demand their urgent release, as well as the release of all participants of the said peaceful demonstration.

We insist on an unbiased and objective investigation of all circumstances, on discovering and on holding responsible the persons who have planned and performed large-scale repressions on December 19, and demand punishing those officials who allowed the use of disproportionate force against the citizens of the Republic of Belarus.

 

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