November 13, Pozirk. The ongoing politically-motivated crackdown is hampering Alaksandar Łukašenka’s attempts to present the upcoming January presidential election as competitive, said lawyers from the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections campaign.
The comment follows yesterday’s withdrawal of retired General Siarhiej Bobrykaŭ and Minsk’s ideology chief Volha Čamadanava from the race.
Similar moves by puppet candidates are a natural phenomenon because they cannot exercise their right to compete and be elected, the lawyers said.
Genuine participation in governance would be a lengthy process that requires “an open and honest dialogue between society and the authorities,” the campaign noted.
It is possible to exercise the right to participate in public affairs “only in an environment where all human rights are respected and accessible including the right to equality and non-discrimination, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association,” the lawyers stressed.
Belarus will hold its seventh presidential election from January 21 to 26, with the whole election cycle limited to just three months. The previous 2020 presidential race was marred by police brutality against peaceful protesters.
The remaining five presidential bidders are Alaksandar Łukašenka, his supporters Aleh Hajdukievič, Alaksandar Chižniak, Siarhiej Syrankoŭ as well as former MP Hanna Kanapackaja.
Candidates must garner at least 100,000 voter signatures before December 6 to qualify for the race.
