UK issues joint statement with US and EU calling for Belarus to end violence

The United Kingdom and other countries have called on Belarus to stop its violent attacks on peaceful protesters in the wake of the disputed presidential elections in the Eastern European country.

The British embassy in Minsk condemned “the brutal and disproportionate use of force” by the police and the “abuse and humiliation of detainees”.

Several people have died amid the crackdown as thousands take to the streets to demand that President Alexander Lukashenko, a Putin ally who has ruled for 26 years, resign amid claims the elections were rigged.

In a joint statement with the US, Swiss and EU missions, the UK embassy in Minsk called on the Belarusian authorities to stop the violence and immediately release all prisoners who were illegally detained after the controversial re-election. by Lukashenko.

The statement read: “We stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus who demand respect for fundamental freedoms and basic human rights through free and fair elections.

“We are impressed by the continuing peaceful demonstrations in Belarus.

“They show the determination and courage of the Belarusian people to seek democratic change.

“Since the elections, we have witnessed the brutal and disproportionate use of force by police authorities against peaceful protesters and ordinary citizens.

“We have seen evidence of numerous injuries resulting from such use of force.

“We have learned of countless incidents of abuse and humiliation of detainees.

“We stand in solidarity with all victims of violence and abuse.

“We join the families of the victims in their grief.

“It is with pain and disbelief that we have witnessed the loss of life, suffering and violations of human dignity and justice in Belarus.

“We condemn the disproportionate use of force and urge the Belarusian authorities to stop the violence and threats to use military force against the country’s own citizens and immediately and unconditionally release all those illegally detained.

“Politically motivated intimidation and prosecution must end.

“We call on the Belarusian authorities to respect the country’s international obligations regarding fundamental human and democratic rights.

“We await a full and transparent investigation of all alleged crimes and abuses to hold those responsible to account.

“Only this will pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the crisis based on an inclusive national dialogue.”

Lukashenko said he had ordered half the army to go into combat readiness and had agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his ally, that his troops could band together in case of a threat from the West.

Belarus is Russia’s closest ex-Soviet ally and its territory is an integral part of Moscow’s European defense strategy.

On Friday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned the mass detention of journalists in Belarus.

The Foreign Secretary tweeted on Friday: “I condemn the mass arrest of more than 50 journalists last night in Belarus, including @BBC, local and international media.

“This was a blatant attempt to interfere with honest and objective reporting.

“The Belarusian authorities must stop attacking journalists and #defendmediafreedom.”

BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg tweeted Thursday that he was among those arrested and held at a police station for two hours for “document checks.”

He said it was a “clear attempt to interfere with coverage” of the events in Belarus.

Belarus has witnessed widespread protests since Lukashenko was declared the winner of the elections earlier this month.

Opposition figures insist the vote was rigged when Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, called for the election as president for the sixth time.

Lukashenko, who faces a popular uprising nearly three weeks since a disputed election, denies the opposition’s accusations that he rigged the August 9 elections to extend his 26-year term.

Opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya fled to Lithuania after the vote her supporters say she won.

Lukashenko claims that the protesters are financed by the West and accuses NATO of concentrating forces on the Belarusian borders, which the alliance denies.

He threatened Friday to cut European transit routes across his country if sanctions are imposed.

He said it would prevent European neighbors from shipping goods to Russia over Belarusian territory and divert exports that are now sent through ports in EU member Lithuania.

State media reported it saying: “They got fat and forgot what Belarus is. And they thought we might be scared with rockets and tanks.”

“Well, let’s see who’s scared of whom. We’ll show you what sanctions are.”

He added: “If they (NATO troops) do not stand still, it is necessary to use a joint group of armed forces, whose base is the Belarusian army. The Russians must support us and follow us.”

Putin has said that the Kremlin had established a “reserve police force” at Lukashenko’s request, although it would only be deployed if necessary.

Neighboring Lithuania, Poland and Latvia have lobbied for Europe to take stronger action against Lukashenko.