On the anniversary of the presidential elections in Belarus, the results of which were not recognized by the international community, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) notes the deterioration of the situation with freedom of speech in the country.
“Unfortunately, over the past year, the situation in the Republic of Belarus in the field of freedom of speech has worsened. Dozens of independent media and public organizations have been closed and blocked. A significant number of journalists, human rights activists, representatives of the creative community, and ordinary Belarusians were imprisoned on politically motivated charges. Thousands of Belarusians were forced to leave their homeland. The Belarusian authorities are using political repression and persecution both inside and outside Belarus,” the MFA press service said in the statement.
The ministry calls on the Belarusian authorities to return to a democratic channel, release all prisoners on political charges, stop repressions against independent media and public organizations, and restore respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms.
At the same time, Ukraine warns Russia against an attack on the freedom and sovereignty of Belarus.
“We consider the absorption of Belarus by Russia, which grossly violates international law and continues its aggressive policy against Ukraine and other states, as a threat to the national security of our state and the security of the region. And any forms of Minsk’s support for the Kremlin’s illegal policy aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine will be regarded as an unfriendly act and de facto support for Russian aggression, which has corresponding international legal consequences,” the Foreign Ministry said.
“For its part, Ukraine did not interfere and will not interfere in the internal affairs of Belarus. All statements by Minsk about the alleged supply of militants and weapons from the territory of Ukraine are fabrications that mislead the Belarusian society,” the ministry said.
It is noted that Ukraine will remain open for the citizens of Belarus, who are forced to look for places of residence and employment in Ukraine, is in solidarity with the Belarusian people and supports their desire to live in a free, democratic, independent European country.
“The Belarusian people are one of the closest and friendliest to Ukraine. We are sure that we have no other alternative but to live together in a united European house of free, democratic, European peoples,” the Foreign Ministry said.
