Statkevich: By dropping sanctions, Europe told Belarusians that freedom and democracy are not for them

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc9jh8voJBU&feature=youtu.be”][vc_column_text]The former political prisoner has lashed out at the “flexible policy” of the EU.

The European Union has suspended for four months sanctions against Belarus, EU press service announced on October 29. Only four people from the European “black list” will not be able to enter the European Union. According to the press service of the European Union, the lifting of sanctions is a response to progress in Belarus and is aimed at encouraging new changes.

“Scared by the events in Ukraine, the West decided to somehow win over Lukashenka. They could not step over political prisoners and violated their own conditions. In the autumn of 2011, the West (the EU – Belsat.eu) formulated the conditions for normalization of relations with the Belarusian regime. The first condition was the release and rehabilitation of political prisoners. As a result, not all have been released, and those who were released have not been rehabilitated,” said outraged Statkevich.

The restrictive measures of the EU against Belarus expire on October 31. The official Minsk insists on the complete lifting of sanctions.

According to Statkevich, even a temporary lifting of sanctions is a betrayal and an immoral step “of some European officials.”

“By their actions they are saying to the Belarusian society that freedom and democracy are not for them: you have Lukashenka whom you deserve. We are considered to be a country of the 4th world. This is how it is perceived in Belarus. This coincides with the interests of Lukashenka, who constantly convinces us that there are no democracy and freedom of speech. He has now been joined by some European officials,” said the Belarusian politician.

Following the EU, the sanctions knot was weakened by the US. The ex-political prisoner believes that their step is rational.

“The position of the US seems more logical. They made a step forward by removing the sanctions against some businesses, but not removing personal ban on entry of the Belarusian officials and Lukashenka. The American position is morally strong and I welcome it.”