EU warned against rushing to soften stance on Minsk

Two dissidents whose release from prison last week was hailed by the European Union have warned the 27-nation bloc against rushing to soften their stance on relations with the Belarusian government.

Small business activist Syarhey Parsyukevich and opposition youth Andrey Kim, both widely viewed as political prisoners, were freed on August 20 as Alyaksandr Lukashenka pardoned the pair.

In its August 26 statement, the French EU presidency welcomed the release of Messrs. Parsyukevich and Kim. “Their release, which follows the release of five political prisoners at the beginning of this year and, more recently, of Mr Kozulin [Alyaksandr Kazulin], means that there are no longer any prisoners in Belarus internationally recognised as political prisoners,” the statement said.

“This latest development could offer the Union scope for a progressive resumption of dialogue with the Belarusian authorities and the possibility of a review of the restrictive measures which it has adopted against Belarus,” the EU presidency noted.

In an interview with BelaPAN, Mr. Kim stressed that he, Mr. Parsyukevich and Dr. Kazulin needed full rehabilitation. “We continue pushing for full rehabilitation and the rehabilitation of those convicted in connection with protests staged by sole entrepreneurs this past winter. I believe that Europe must take this into account,” he said.

“A dialogue is a necessary and useful thing but it is important for Europe to realize that this dialogue may turn into a monologue,” Mr. Parsyukevich told BelaPAN.

“The Belarusian authorities can take their citizens ‘hostage’ and demand some preferences for the country’s leadership, investments, etc. in exchange for their release. The release of the three people does not mean anything yet. We were freed but did not have our criminal record cleared, were not exonerated,” he said. 
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