Belarusan entrepreneurs want the resignation of the government in Belarus

svaboda.org

Some 300 entrepreneurs protested in downtown Minsk.

Self-employed entrepreneurs gathered for an unauthorized demonstration in Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk on February 22.

A number of opposition figures took part in the protest in front of the Palace of the Republic in Kastrychnitskaya Square, including Anatoly Liabedzka, chairman of the United Civic Party; former presidential candidates Mikalai Statkevich and Uladzimir Niakliaeu; Paval Sieviarynec, co-chairman of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party; and small business leader Ales Makaeu, naviny.by informs.

Prior to the demonstration, Mikalai Statkevich had called on people to gather in front of the office of the Presidential Administration. However, only about 10 people came there. The demonstrators left after being told that they would have to wait for two hours to have their petition registered. The group joined the crowd in Kastrychnitskaya Square.

Statkevich said that he had expected at least 50 people to heed his calls. On the positive side, the lack of arrests indicates that the Belarusians have an opportunity to stage street protests, he said.

Speaking at the rally near the Palace of the Republic, Liabedzka invited stallholders to tell those present about their problems. Several policemen attempted to intervene in the event, but people started chanting «Shame!» and «Freedom!» formed a chain around the speakers and pushed the officers away.

Makaeu and Liabedzka displayed signs demanding the abolition of controversial Edict No. 222 and a rule requiring stallholders should have receipts and invoices for their goods.

A majority of the demonstrators raised their hands when Makaeu read out a petition calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Andrey Kabiakou, Economy Minister Uladzimir Zinouski and Tax Minister Siarhei Nalivajka and asked the crowd whether it supported the demand.

In his speech, Sieviarynec also urged vendors to demand the resignation of Kabiakou and other members of his government and to express no confidence in Aliaksandr Lukashenka. He invited people to come to a meeting of Belarusian Christian Democracy’s «enterprise salvation committee» in the Belarusian Popular Front’s office on February 25.

Ten snowplows deployed in the square prior to the event continually distracted the demonstrators with their noise, aimlessly drifting back and forth and forcing people closer to the entrance to the Palace of the Republic. A team of utility workers appeared at the scene and started shoveling mud, pretending that they were removing snow.

Let us recall that the previous protest demonstration took part on February 15, when about a thousand non-food stallholders staged an unsanctioned protest in Kastrychnitskaya Square to call for the abolition of tough new rules for small business owners.

Although there was a heavy police presence at the venue of the demonstration, policemen did not intervene in the event or make arrests.

Thousands of vendors at markets and shopping malls across Belarus have been keeping their stalls closed since January 1 because they are afraid that they will face severe penalties for failure to comply with Edict No. 222, which banned retailers from selling apparel, footwear, toys, toiletries and other consumer goods without accompanying documents confirming their compliance with safety requirements.

Since the start of the year, those who want to sell imported goods, which mainly come from Russia, must present proof of origin, something that Russian wholesalers generally do not provide.

Earlier this month, Aliaksandr Lukashenka told Trade Minister Uladzimir Kaltovich that the government should ignore market vendors’ resentment and move ahead with plans to secure an even playing field for all retailers in Belarus.

Lukashenka indicated that he would not agree to soften the new rules established by his edicts.