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In Belarus, President Lukashenko is sending reassuring signals. But his crackdown on the opposition speaks a different language. The security authorities arrested other activists.
In Belarus, the security forces continue to carry out massive actions against the opposition. Now they have arrested the government critic Lilia Vlasova, who is a member of the so-called coordination council. Security forces searched the 67-year-old woman’s apartment and then arrested her, Councilor Pavel Latuschko said.
A criminal investigation has been launched for threats to national security against the coordinating council established by the protest movement. Time and again its members, including Nobel Prize winner Swetlana Alexijewitsch, are targeted for police action. The council is supposed to promote a peaceful change of power through dialogue. President Alexander Lukashenko does not recognize the body.
Strike ended at the most important industrial site
The security forces also detained the leader of the strike in Belaruskali, one of the most important industrial sites in the country. The police arrested Anatoly Bokun. He faces 15 days in prison for organizing an unauthorized protest. Belaruskali is the world’s fifth largest producer of potash salt and the country’s largest source of income.
The strike that started two weeks ago is now over, said Belaruskali strike committee spokesman Gleb Sandras. All the potash mines are back in operation. Employees of the Belarusian State Security Committee had lobbied the workers to end their strike. “The authorities have strong economic instruments. They blackmail the workers with massive layoffs,” Sandras explained.
Lukashenko, who has ruled for 26 years, was officially re-elected to a sixth term on August 9 with 80 percent. Critics then called for rigged elections and took to the streets. Although there were many arrests at the beginning, strikes were called in various state-owned companies.
Expressions of solidarity in Poland
They receive support from Poland: there were demonstrations of solidarity with striking workers in Belarus at rallies there 40 years ago on the founding of Solidarnosc. “Our hearts and eyes are on Belarus, where now is their August and where they should have no less solidarity,” said Solidarnosc president Piotr Duda.
The trade union and opposition movement has made a significant contribution to overcoming communism in Poland.
President announces reforms
Under pressure from massive protests in Belarus, President Lukashenko announced reforms for the first time. Now there are many demands, everyone is calling “changes, changes,” said Lukashenko. “So let’s discuss this.”
Specifically, it is a constitutional change that is supported by society. Lukashenko admitted that the country’s “authoritarian system” was tailor-made for him. But it is ready for changes.
Lukashenko does not trust the opposition
Critics are skeptical of such announcements. Opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova warned against relying on Lukashenko after many broken promises in his quarter century in power: “Lukashenko is lying and manipulating as he has for 26 years.”
The 37-year-old claims victory after the controversial presidential elections. He calls for the release of all political prisoners, the resignation of Lukashenko and new free and fair elections.
