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ЛІСТ ДА ПРЭМ 'ЕР-МІНІСТРА КАНАДЫ Ў СУВЯЗІ З ПЕРАДВЫБАРЧЫМІ ПАДЗЕЯМІ НА БЕЛАРУСІ У сувязі з перадвыбачымі падзеямі ў Беларусі, Згуртаваньне Беларусаў Канады даслала ліст да прэм�ер-міністра Канады сп. Стывэна Харпэра (Stephen Harper) з заклікам актыўна ўдзельнічаць у падеях ва Ўсхдняй Эўропе, а таксама у справе дапамогі дэмакратычным сілам на Беларусі. Падобны ліст быў дасланы таксама да Міністра Замежных Справаў Канады сп. Пітэра Маккэя (Peter MacKay). March 13, 2006 We would like to draw your attention to a matter of profound importance thatrelates to Canadian foreign politics and the role Canada can and must play topromote democracy, human rights and socio-economic progress on the planet. As you may already be aware, Belarus is preparing for its presidential electionscalled for March 19, 2006. These elections are by far the most important event in the latest history of Belarus. Under the largely undemocratic rule of President Aliaksander Lukashenka, the country has been isolating itself for the past twelve years and Mr.Lukashenka is notorious for his arrogant denial of democratic principles both in home and foreign politics. The country has the poorest record among its Centraland East European neighbors with most international human rights organizations. Our observations of the Belarus election campaign over the past several weeks andthe most recent election-related developments in that country make us believe that President Aliaksander Lukashenka is doing everything possible to stay inpower at any cost. The means he uses to achieve this end are appalling. To name but a few examples, Lukashenka violates the existing elections legislation by barring representatives of civic organizations and politicalparties from electoral commissions, by detaining opposition supporters, by confiscating election materials, by breaking up the campaign meetings, and, mostrecently, by beating up one of the presidential candidates, Aliaksander Kazulin, as he was trying to attend the Belarusian National Assembly in Minsk during themorning of March 2, 2006. Using the complete subservience of his puppet parliament, President Lukashenka passedhighly controversial Amendments to the Criminal Code of Belarus, effectively banning any criticism of his regime. The Amendments providefor criminal liability for, among others, transmission to international organizations of so-called �false� information about the situation in Belarus.The law does not specifically define what constitutes �false� information. It just established a punishment of up to five years of imprisonment for suchactions. Under the circumstances, support for the democratic elections process in Belarus is absolutely indispensable. Belarusian Canadian Alliance, one of the oldest Belarusian organizations in Canada, isdeeply concerned with the infringement of civil rights and the cynical lawlessness encouraged by Lukashenka�s regime. The regime�s blatant contemptfor democratic norms makes us believe that without international assistance the elections in Belarus will inevitably become a �one-man show� staged by Mr.Lukashenka. Such developments will likely plunge Belarus into yet a deeper abyss of dictatorship. If this is the case, Belarusians will be thrown farther awayfrom democracy and freedom and Europe will end up with an unrestrained authoritarian regime in the middle of the continent for years to come. European democracies realize the importance of these elections both for Belarus and forEurope. The international community with the Organization on Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as its vanguard is keenly following thedevelopments in this country. So far its bureau in Belarus has issued two interim reports on the election campaign and related violations that are now anevery day routine in the country. Most European nations have taken active participation by sending elections expertsand observers to monitor the elections. In this context, it is very unfortunate and disappointing that the Canadian Government is not planning to be involved inthis process nor does it seem to react in any meaningful way concerning the events in Belarus. We believe that using its reputation and expertise in this area Canada could make asolid contribution and help strengthen the young democracy in Belarus. As a passionate advocate of democratic processes, peace and socialprogress in the world, Canada has a moral obligation to support this international effort in this part of the world and to promote the values that weall cherish. Sincerely, Dmitry Elyashevich |