EU ambassadors meet with activists of opposition parties, NGOs in Homyel

A delegation of the Minsk-based ambassadors of several EU met with activists of opposition parties and non-governmental organizations in Homyel on October 12.

They discussed the social and political situation in the region and problems related to Chernobyl disaster relief.

As Stephan Ericsson, head of the Swedish diplomatic office in Minsk, told BelaPAN, the ambassadors viewed the meeting as an opportunity to interact with active people, who are concerned about the fates of their homeland and committed to the European values.

Mr. Ericsson said that touring Belarusian regions as a group was very useful as it enabled the ambassadors to spot what could otherwise have been overlooked and to inform people about European policies. He acknowledged that it is impossible to develop a nuanced understanding of the region in just two days. Mr. Ericsson said it is vital to bring different perspectives together to form educated opinions, hence the delegation’s meetings with different population groups.

Mr. Ericsson expressed regret about the absence of Vasil Palyakow and Uladzimir Katsora, leader and the deputy leader of the United Civic Party’s chapter in the Homyel region, who had been jailed for allegedly using obscene language.

Lubomir Rehak, Slovakia's charge d'affaires, said that although he does not know in detail about the arrests because no official information regarding these cases is available, formally those men were jailed for using obscene language. He noted that many opposition and NGO activists promised to him that they would not use strong language ahead of the October 14 European March for Freedom to be on the safe side. He described the arrests on such charges as highly unusual in European countries.

The ambassadors later visited the Khoyniki district, an area badly affected by the Chernobyl accident, met with its administration, visited farms, relocated villages, schools, kindergartens and the Palesse radiation and ecology reserve.

Led by Mr. Rehak, the delegation included Belgian, Bulgarian, French, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Swedish, UK and US diplomats as well as representatives of the European Commission.