Ongeveer 200 Wit-Russen kwamen vandaag bijeen in het centrum van Praag om te demonstreren tegen de schending van de mensenrechten in hun land.

The rally began on Jan Palach Square, attracting Belarusian political emigrants living in the Czech Republic and otherEuropean countries, and Prague dwellers. After the meeting the protesters marched to the Congress Center where the summit will take place, the website of the civil campaign “European Belarus” reports.

The participants of the rally holding posters “Freedom to Political Prisoners!”, “No to Lukashenka in Europe!”, “Freedom to Belarus!”, “No to Dictatorship!” National white-red-white flags and flags of the civil campaign “European Belarus” were waving over the column. Prague dwellers took participants of the action kindly, asked about the situation in Belarus and wished overturn of dictatorship.

“The participants of the rally are high-spirited. We are happy Lukashenka hasn’t gone to the summit. It is a very important victory of the Belarusian opposition. Of course, all of us understand hard struggle for release of political prisoners waits for us. All hope Europe will stop doing Lukashenka’s bidding and will demonstrate its principal position,” political refugee Alyaksei Shydlouski told the “European Belarus” press service.

At 2.45 p.m., Belarusian political refugees continued the rally near the Prague Congress Center. The police allowed Belarusians to have a meeting two meters from the entrance to the building. At 3.00 p.m., delegations of countries included in the Eastern Partnership program began to arrive.

About 100 Belarusians stayed near the Congress Center holding posters “No to Dictator Lukashenka in Europe!”, “No to Dictatorship!”, “Freedom to Political Prisoners in Belarus!”, national white-red-white flags and flags of the civil campaign “European Belarus”.

“We were standing on the steps near the entrance. Ours was the only protest picket near the building where the Eastern Partnership summit is being held, so it drew everyone’s attention. There are many journalist come to cover the summit. There showed great interest in the protest rally of Belarusians,” Alyaksei Shydlouski told the Charter’97 press center.

Delegations of countries-participants of the Eastern Partnership program welcomed the protesters. They read slogans with great interest, Alyaksei Shydlouski said. The Belarusian delegation arrived at the Congress Center by an armoured car. Escorted by securities, they passed by the protesting refugees and disappeared in the building.

The protesters welcomed the representatives of the Belarusian regime with hissing and shouting “Long Live Belarus!” and “Shame on You!”

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek appeared before the demonstrators to express his solidarity with the protesters and assure that European politicians know there are political prisoners in Belarus and Europe is not going to give up principles of democracy.

Bron: www.charter97.org