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Key opposition forces, politicians sign memorandum declaring intention to defend Belarus’ independence

 

Belarus’ key opposition forces and politicians have signed a memorandum declaring their intention to defend Belarus’ independence.

The memorandum was signed at a meeting in Vilnius on November 3 by, among others, Ivonka Survilla, the Canadian-based president of the government in exile of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR), as well as Stanislaw Shushkevich, leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada; Uladzimir Kolas, chairman of the Rada of Belarusian Intelligentsia; Belarusian Popular Front Chairman Alyaksey Yanukevich; former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich; prominent politicians Vintsuk Vyachorka and Alyaksandr Dabravolski.

Uladzimir Baradach, an emigre opponent of Alyaksandr Lukashenka who proposed the establishment of "a shadow cabinet of national revival" earlier this year, also attended.

The memorandum has since been joined by Zyanon Paznyak, the emigre leader of the Conservative Christian Party; Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, leader of the “Tell the Truth!” movement; the Belarusian Christian Democracy party; and the United Civic Party.
Former presidential candidate and political prisoner Andrey Sannikaw, who has recently been granted political asylum by the UK authorities, refused to sign the memorandum.

The memorandum declares the signatories’ intention to coordinate their activities for the sake of securing the release of all political prisoners, an end to the persecution of government opponents, freedom of the media, and free elections.// BelaPAN