November 29, Pozirk. Canada’s strategic consultations with the Belarusian pro-democracy forces “reaffirmed a shared vision of a free and democratic Belarus,” says a joint statement posted by the Canadian foreign ministry.
Following the first round of consultations three days ago in Ottawa, the sides committed to “continuing to stand in defense of shared democratic values and freedoms,” deepening their partnership and promoting joint initiatives to build a future “where Belarus is free from oppression and external interference.”
Ottawa stressed its determination to counter Russian influence operations, pledging to use targeted sanctions against individuals and companies involved in human rights abuses and direct or indirect support of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The sides also noted the importance of ties between Belarusian civil society with European and North American democratic institutions and the expansion of international networks assisting Belarusians.
Consultation participants expressed “grave concerns over the continued lack of respect of the will of the Belarusian people” in the run-up to the presidential vote on January 21-26 “expected to be neither free nor fair.”
They condemned “the systematic use of torture,” incommunicado detention and ill-treatment of inmates in Belarus’ prisons, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners and the restoration of democratic freedoms in Belarus.
Consultations with Canada are based on the strategic dialogue of the Belarusian pro-democracy forces with the United States, launched one year ago in Washington and scheduled to continue next month in Vilnius.
