The Belarusian National Platform and the Steering Committee of the EaP CSF have released a statement to condemn the repressions in Belarus against the backdrop of the presidential elections. The country has experienced massive human rights violations and repressions of political freedoms during this time. Alternative candidates for the presidential elections have been prosecuted and arrested, including many of their team members. Moreover, bloggers, journalists and activists continue to experience repressions and (cyber)bullying. Even ordinary citizens have become victims of the excessive use of violence of the authorities.

Next to extensive repressions, there have been massive manipulations and electoral fraud during the voting process. The official data on the advance voting turnout has been overestimated almost thrice. This has led to a base for fraud of 35% of voices. In addition, during the main election day, the norms of election law have been systematically violated. In other words, the right to get access to the results of voting and final voting protocols has been breached.

According to the Central Election Commission of Belarus, more than 80% voted for Aleksandr Lukashenko. However, these numbers are not consistent with true data. As a result, a wave of outrage has swept through the country, with thousands of citizens protesting on the streets. These peaceful protests were brutally opressed by the (riot) police. Thousands of people have been arrested, dozens injured and a few have died.

The Belarusian National Platform and the Steering Committee of the EaP CSF demand the authorities of Belarus to stop the escalation of violence and free all arrested protesters and political prisoners. Due to the law violations, the presidential elections should not be acknowledged. Therefore, the Belarusian National Platform and the Steering Committee of the EaP CSF call on the Belarusian authorities to negotiate with the teams of alternative candidates, opposition parties and CSOs about new presidential elections which would be controlled by Belarusian society.

The international community should condemn the violence of the Belarusian authorities against its citizens and use diplomatic influence to stop the massive repressions. In addition, the presidential elections should be acknowledged as not legitimate and new ones must be held.

Members of the Belarusian National Platform and the Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum