Petition regarding the situation in Belarus
Background (Peramble):
The recent presidential elections in Belarus held on December 19th, 2010 where victory was claimed by the incumbent Aliaksander Lukashenka saw an unprecedented level of fraud and corruption. As with several earlier elections, these were not recognized as fair by independent European observers. Belarusian authoritarian regime turned this major democratic process into a gigantic farce with the single purpose to legitimize yet another term in power for “Europe’s last dictator”.
When the righteous indignation brought Belarusians to the streets of Minsk, the regime unleashed an unprecedented war against those who dared to raise their voice against countless falsifications. Peaceful protest was crushed by militia and KGB. Thousands were brutally beaten. Hundreds arrested. Trampling over the right of people to exercise their free will to vote, Lukashenka demonstrated his contempt for accepted democratic principles and norms, proving once again that these are but not for his own use.
Five presidential candidates, namely, Ales Mikhalevich, Uladzimir Niakliayev, Vital Rymasheuski, Andrei Sannikov and Mikola Statkevich were imprisoned alongside with over 600 other protesters. Unjust detentions, arrests and searches in the days following the elections were aimed at stemming out any opposition in the country. During recent raids on headquarters of European Radio for Belarus, Belarusian PEN Centre, Nasha Niva weekly, KGB agents questioned staff, searched the premises and seized office computers and equipment. Lawyers of the imprisoned protesters have been threatened by the government authorities. The autocratic regime has made it utterly clear that it is prepared for anything to maintain the status quo.
A number of world democracies including Canada and the US protested the violence in Belarus. The Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Lawrence Cannon in his recent statements condemned “the violence used against the demonstrators, in particular the beating and detention of many of the opposition leaders”. The Minister “strongly urged the authorities to change direction and to uphold democratic principles, respect for human rights and the rule of law. The people of Belarus deserve to have their voices heard without fear of violent retribution.”
Petition:
We, the citizens of democratic Canada, strongly protest against brutality, arrests, and mass repressions towards the opponents of the current regime in Belarus following the Election Day of December 19, 2010.
We urge the Government of Belarus to immediately release the arrested presidential candidates Ales Mikhalevich, Uladzimir Niakliayev, Vital Rymasheuski, Andrei Sannikov and Mikola Statkevich as well as all others who were detained and arrested during and after the protests of December 19th, 2010
We call on international community not to recognize the flawed election results of December 19th, 2010.
We join the civil initiatives in Belarus calling on a re-run of presidential elections without Aliaksander Lukashenka
The Undersigned
You can put your signature on this letter, leaving your name and place of residence as a comment
Joanna Survilla, Gatineau (Quebec)
Maria Ganko, Toronto
Thanks for the opportunity to help.
Eric Wachmann, Waverly, Iowa
Табаленка Андрэй, Аттава
with all my best wishes that this new Year give Belarus People a chance, with the help of the free world, to make their voices heard and their wishes for freedom and respect of human rights realized. ML Swiderski
Pavel Balamout, Maple, Ontario
Anastasia Kolas
Agree fully with petition.
David
I fully support this petition, and I urge all peace loving and fair minded individuals across the globe to support it.
Thank you kindly,
Andy Kusi-Appiah
CEO,
Diversity Concepts
Ottawa, Canada
Free Belarus
Montréal Québec Canada
Zina Gimpelevich, Waterloo, Ont.
Aliaksander Lukashenka, your end cannot come soon enough, but come it will.
Time to join the free world Belarus!
Lisa Schwartzman, 701 King st West, Toronto Ontario Canada M5V 2W7
Toronto
I support this petition. Human Rights have to be restore!
Dina Shkolnikova
Etobicoke (Ontario)
Democracy for Belarus and Belorussians
Natalia Kolos, Toronto
Aleh Shablinski, Toronto, Ontario
I fully support this cause! Please support the people of Belarus! Human RIGHTS are not a privilege!
Thornhill,Ontario
Doloi Lukoshenko!!!
Toronto
Eeffix, Paris France.
Francine Boult
Gatineau Qc
We had exactly the same situation in Iran a year ago. I completely understand and support.
Toronto, Canada
Alina Tananka, Mississauga, Ontario
Paulina Survilla
I support this petition and people’s civil rights and freedoms to express their views.
Thank you all for your advocacy regarding this very serious Human Rights matter.
Shakila Persad, freedom for everyone, let people decide for themselves, after all, we are each responsible for our own souls
Yuliya Iskendzerava. San Francisco, CA
Toronto
Rita Rudnicki – free the voice and people of Belorus democratically
Yury Satsukevich, Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Guelph, ON
Dima Ryshkevich, Toronto, Ontario
Dima Ryshkevich
C Denov
Toronto
I support this petition.
London, ONtario
Diana Carapet, Toronto
Diana Carapet, Toronto
I support this initiative.
Guelph, Ontario
Marie Gallo, TOronto, ON.
Best wishes for success with this outrageous situation in Belarus.
Toronto, ON
Alide Forstmanis, Kitchener ON
Toronto
Guelph, Ontario
To Our neighbours up the river of Daugava! Be strong. This pestilence can not kill all of the patriots and freedom lowing peoples in Belorussia nor elsewhere Veritas omnia Vincit. Gunars Šūbiņš, A Canadian, born in Latvia.
To Our neighbours up the river
of Daugava! Be strong. This pestilence can not kill all of the patriots and freedom lowing peoples in Belorussia nor elsewhere Veritas omnia Vincit. Gunars Šūbiņš, A Canadian, born in Latvia.
Olena, Toronto, ON
Mississauga, Canada
http://www.polacak.org/
Belarusan American Community Center ‘Polacak’ support this petition.
Dot Quiggin
Toronto, Canada
Guelph, Ontario
I fully support this petition.
Klavs Zichmanis Toronto
I fully support this petition. He can not be president all his life.It is not legal !
Dan Hunt, Toronto, ON
Mike Anderson, Toronto, ON
Toronto, ON
Canada
Associate Professor of Slavic, Florida State University
Best wishes to the human rights defenders in Belarus!
Uliana Roskina, Edmonton, AB.
I support this petition
Ottawa,Canada
Alexandra Popoff, Saskatoon (Saskatchewan)
Edmonton, Alberta
against all violence!!!
3826 Point McKay Road NW
Calgary, Alberta
T3B 5B8
Toronto, Canada
Toronto, Ontario
Svitlana and George Krys, Edmonton (Alberta)
Freiburg University, Germany
Toronto, Canada
for a truly democratic political system in Belarus
With hope for a truly free and democratic political system in Belarus
In support of democracy in Belarus.
No dictatorship in Belarus!
Rashed Chowdhury, Montréal, Québec
It is time for civilization to make history of all dictators, and for humanity to embrace human values. In solidarity with the people of Belarus struggling to create a democratic society,
Jars Balan, Edmonton, Alberta
Anastasiya Schomakaker, Toronto, ON
Irina Loukianova, Toronto, ON
Anastasiya Schomaker, Toronto, ON
Irina Loukianova
Toronto, Ontario
Lyudmyla Pavlyuk, Ukraine
I believe in democracy and humane rights for all people. I support this petition.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Antonina Teneva, Ontario
Toronto, canada
Montreal, Quebec
Caroline Howes
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Marcelle Jubinville, Ottawa, Ontario
The only revolution that makes a difference, is the one lived inside oneself.
“Tiziano Terzani”
Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada
Stratford, USA
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Piotr Murzionak, Ottawa, Ontario
Ljiljana Vasic
Goran Vasic Toronto
Ljiljana Vasic Toronto
FOR BELARUS!!!
My full support to democratic forces opposing the appaling dictatorship. Long live freedom and democracy!
Alena Edwards, U.K.
David Potashnikov, Miami, Florida
Liudmila Ershova, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Clare Atkins, Toronto
Brian Ho Hing, Milton Ontario. Justice
Toronto, ON
Joe Mismas, Columbus, OH
Toronto
Jonathan GIL, Toronto CANADA
DROUDROU
France supports Human rights and Democracy in Belarus
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Alexei and Olga Paretski, Toronto, Canada
Toronto ON Canada
Toronto, ON
Mississauga, ON
Toronto, Canada
Toronto, Canada
Angela Osmond, Toronto, Ontario