Address of youth leaders to Belarusians abroad and to friends of Belarus in the world
Friends! The Belarusian authorities have tightened repression against democratic activists for the first months of 2008. Solemn peaceful demonstration on 25 March, dedicated to proclamation of the Belarusian National Republic’s independence, was broken up violently. Dozens of its participants were beaten up by riot police, more than 100 people were detained.
Two days after the action, apartments of journalists working for foreign media were searched in various towns of the country.
Katsiaryna Salauyova has trial in Polatsk on 8 April. She faces up to 2 years of imprisonment.
Participants of the protest action, held 10 January in Minsk, are to have trial on 16 April. 14 youth activists face up to 3-year term of imprisonment. Siarhei Parsiukevich and Andrei Kim face up to 6 years in prison.
The repressions are directed against the youth, who fights for the free and European Belarus.
Every 16th day of a month Days of Belarusian Solidarity are held. People attend street action with portraits of political repression victims and lighted candles; pray services, concerts, presentation of films and expositions, dedicated to the events in Belarus, are organized. Thousand of actions held all over the world have brought the effect. The first part of political prisoners was released. It happened due to solidarity and international pressure on the Belarusian authorities.
Our friends are to have trial on 16 April. Its result depends on the international reaction, too.
We address to the Belarusians abroad, to friends of our country all over the world.
– 16 April hold street actions near Belarusian embassies and consulates in towns you live demanding to release political prisoners and stop repressions;
– Address the governments of your countries asking them to tighten pressure on the Belarusian authorities for them to release political prisoners and stop repressions;
– Inform media in your countries for people to know the events in Belarus;
Our country needs your support and solidarity.
Long live free European Belarus!
Nasta Palazhanka, Yauhen Afnahel, Ales Kalita, Mikhail Pashkevich.
