Socialist International Awards Mikalai Statkevich The Jose Francisco Peña Gomez Prize
- 17.01.2025, 16:10
The leader of the Belarusian opposition has been in complete isolation for almost two years.
The Socialist International (SI) has published a declaration in which it stated its full solidarity with the Belarusian people, who are suffering from a dictatorial regime.
This was reported by the press service of the "Narodnaya Hramada" with reference to the text of the Socialist International declaration:
“We fully support the struggle of the people of Belarus for freedom and democracy in very difficult circumstances. We note that the situation in the country has significantly worsened since Alexander Lukashenko supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the use of Belarusian territory for these purposes: the level and severity of repression has increased, the authorities are using illegal methods to fight their political opponents. The practice of “in absentia” trials, mass confiscation of property and deprivation of citizenship of opponents who have left the country has been introduced. SI expresses solidarity and support for the “Narodnaya Hramada” party, a full member of the SI, which, despite the ongoing persecution of its members, continues to fight for the restoration of democracy in Belarus.
We are extremely concerned about the lack of news about the leader of the Narodnaya Hramada party, MIKALAI STATKEVICH, who has been in complete isolation for almost two years — 680 days — since 09.02.2023. There are fears that he may no longer be alive.
We demand that Mikalai Statkevich be immediately provided with contact with his family and lawyer. The SI demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mikalai Statkevich, the party's general secretary Siarhei Sparysh, members of Narodnaya Hramada and all Belarusian political prisoners. We demand respect for human rights and the rule of law, as well as free and fair elections in Belarus without any conditions.
Negotiations with the regime are completely pointless unless they lead to the immediate release of political prisoners and real steps to transfer power to freely elected representatives of the people and the restoration of democracy. Considering all the above elements, Socialist International presents the José Francisco Peña Gómez Award to Mikalai Statkevich, leader of the Narodnaya Hramada party,” stated in the declaration.
The Narodnaya Hramada Party sincerely thanks the Ukrainian delegation, in particular Olena Skomoroschenko, for representing the interests of the Belarusian side.