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United Civic Party leader suggests creating “board of shame”

The United Civic Party (UCP) proposes creating a board of shame that would feature the names of persons directly involved in the persecution of political opponents of the government, UCP Chairman Anatol Lyabedzka told reporters in Minsk on Friday.

The board, which would contain the names of government officials, judges, police officers, managers of companies and other persons, could be used for compiling a list of Belarusians who should be subject to targeted sanctions for violations of the constitution and Belarus’ international commitments, Mr. Lyabedzka said.

“Since the European Union is expected to decide in September or October whether to prolong its sanctions against Belarusian officials, it could use our list,” he said.

Many of those involved in repression against opposition activists act on their own initiative, without receiving from authorities, when they use violence against protesters, dismiss people from their jobs or expel students from universities, noted former presidential candidate Vital Rymashewski, co-chairman of Belarusian Christian Democracy.