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Canada must respond to Lukashenka’s Election Fraud and Repression


Remarks given by Marcus Kolga, President of the Central and Eastern European Council in Canada, at the August 8th “Rally for Democracy in Belarus” at Queen’s Park, Toronto.

On behalf of the Central and Eastern European Council in Canada, representing the interests of 4.5 million Canadians of Central and Eastern European heritage, I am very proud to be here today, to remind our Belarusian firends, that we stand with you, and we call on the Lukashenka regime to step aside, after 1/4 century in power. And to finally give all Belarusians the opportunity to grow and prosper in a democratic society free of repression, corruption and fear.
Marcus Kolga and Piret Noorhani attending the support protest.

Canadians need to know, that since May, over one thousand peaceful pro-democracy protestors have been arrested in Belarus. Dozens of journalists and bloggers have been detained. And just as in 2010, when Lukashenka violently lashed out at his people, so too have opposition leaders been detained and and barred from participating in this election.

While the outcome of the August 9th election is pre-determined, like those in Russia and other totalitarian nations, the people of Belarus have spoken very clearly over the past two months. They seek the freedom to speak their minds, to choose their leaders without fear, and achieve their true democratic and economic potential as individuals and as a nation.

Alexander Lukashenka is determined, to make sure this does not happen, as is his friend Vladimir Putin.

While the presence of Russian Wagner mercenaries in Minsk last week, may not have been directly connected to tomorrow’s elections, we must not forget the lessons of Crimea, Donbas and Maidan.

The Canadian government and our allies must be alert and prepared to respond to any attempt to destabilize Belarus after the election election.

Furthermore, we call on the Canadian government to hold the Lukashenka government to account for its mass repression of protestors, opposition leaders and media. Canada must work with its allies to apply coordinated Magnitsky sanctions against corrupt Belarusian officials who have abused the rights of their people. And most importantly, we must work with our allies to support Belarusians who seek change, freedom and democracy for their people.

Belarusians deserve the same opportunities and freedom as their western neighbours.

The European states formerly occupied by the Soviet Union have had nearly 30 years to develop and grow, while Belarus has remained handcuffed to Lukashenka’s own neo-Soviet self interests.

It’s time for Belarus to join the free and democratic Western world, and Canada must now speak with determination and join all Belarusians, who say “Lukashenka must go.” Freedom for Belarus!

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