Accused of having violently repressed opposition demonstrations, Belarus says it is ready for a "constructive" dialogue with the foreigner on Friday. Hundreds of protesters gathered in several cities across the country after the election of Alexander Lukashenko, claimed on Monday and accused of being fraudulent. The main opposition leader calls for continued “peaceful” gatherings.
"The Belarusian side is ready for a constructive and objective dialogue with its foreign partners on all questions related to the unfolding of events in Belarus during the electoral campaign and after its completion," said a statement issued after an interview. telephone between the head of Belarusian diplomacy, Vladimir Makeï, and his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis.
Calls for mobilization
Since Sunday evening, Belarus has been the scene of protests against the controversial re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, in power for 26 years in this former Soviet republic. Protests against his victory were violently suppressed by riot forces, killing two, injuring dozens and resulting in at least 6,700 arrests. Since Wednesday, human chains, often made up of women dressed in white, have multiplied across the country as well as the ever-increasing number of walkouts in factories to demand an end to the repression and free elections.
Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya called Friday for “peaceful mass” demonstrations across the country over the weekend to denounce the violent crackdown on the post-election protest. "I ask all mayors to organize on August 15 and 16 peaceful mass rallies in every Belarusian city," said in a video posted online the opponent who joined neighboring Lithuania earlier this week. to have undergone, according to his entourage, pressures.
Berlin in favor of sanctions
The United States and the EU denounced electoral fraud and repression, with Europeans threatening Minsk with sanctions. An extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers is being held this Friday regarding the situation in that country. A meeting brings together the EU foreign ministers in Brussels this Friday to take up this issue.
The German government has already said Friday in favor of sanctions against the country. "From the point of view of the government, it will also have to be question of the sanctions", indicated the spokesman of the German government, adding that this meeting constitutes "an important step to formulate a common European response to the events in Belarus".
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also called on Friday for sanctions against those who "violate democratic values and human rights" in Belarus. She expressed "confidence" that the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the 27 "will demonstrate strong support for people's rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy".
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- Demonstration
- World
- Elections
- Alexander Lukashenko
- Belarus