Charter-97 |
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Charter-97 is a declaration signed by the BPF leaders in Minsk, among a large group of political, academic, cultural figures of the country who represent its almost entire political spectrum, as well as wide non-party opposition to the regime. Some 100 prominent Belarusian political, cultural, and academic figures have signed this new manifesto, Charter-97, to promote democracy in their country. Modeled on the Czechoslovak Charter-77, issued 20 years ago in Prague, the new group seeks to unite opposition to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and to seek the establishment of democracy in Belarus.
Charter-97
We, the citizens of the Republic of Belarus declare that the actions of today's authorities are aimed at elimination of inalienable human rights and freedoms. The Constitution - the basic law of the country - has been violated. The Belarusian people is denied the right to elect its representatives to offices. There are systematic attacks against freedom of speech, against the right of citizens to know the real state of affairs in the country. National culture and school are
being destroyed, the Belarusian language is being ousted. Hundreds of thousands of families are on the brink of survival due to the daily rise in prices and miserable salaries. On the eve of the 21 century a dictatorship has been established in the center of Europe. 10 million people have found themselves in the grip of despotism.
We believe that our homeland is worthy of freedom and prosperity. We are convinced that these goals can be achieved through our joint efforts. We are inspired by the example of free peoples that have chosen this way before us. We remember the group of courageous Czech
and Slovak human rights activists that signed "Charter 77" declaring struggle against totalitarism in their country. Several years later Eastern Europe got rid of the red dictatorship. The peoples of these countries gained the possibility to develop freely and to work for their well-being.
We cannot reconcile ourselves to despotism, violation of laws, crimes against the people and individuals. We will be in solidarity with everyone who fights for one's rights, seeks freedom and well-being for oneself and one's family.
We are of different political views and faiths but we are united by the love of freedom and our homeland. The basis of our readiness for joint actions to liberate Belarusian people will be respect to the views and faiths of each other. Our solidarity will overcome violence and shameless lies. All who have chosen to fight for human dignity and rights shall be confident in common support.
We count on the understanding of international community and solidarity of all forces that are aware of the danger of the emergence of a new brown empire in the post-Soviet space. The thorn of totalitarism must be removed from the body of Europe.
We, the citizens of Belarus declare today our responsibility for the destiny of the country, for the future of our children. We will make Belarus a free, sovereign and prosperous European country, where human rights are protected, where there are no political prisoners
and everyone can live in dignity.
We call upon all citizens of Belarus to join our Charter in order to fight together for our rights and freedoms, to restore democracy and rule of law in our country.
LONG LIVE FREE BELARUS!
Signed:
Adamovich Slavomir /
Andreev Victor /
Belyatsky Ales /
Bobkov Igor /
Bogdankevich Stanislav /
Bondarenko Dmitry /
Borodach Vladimir /
Borodulin Rygor /
Borshchevsky Lyavon /
Bukchin Semyon /
Buravkin Guennady /
Bukhvostov Alexander /
Bykov Vasil /
Bykov Guennady /
Vasilkov Vitaly /
Vashkevich Alexander /
Vilman Victor /
Volkov Vladimir /
Volsky Lyavon /
Vyachorka Vintsuk /
Gavin Tadeush /
Guilevich Nil /
Golubev Valentin /
Gonchar Victor /
Grib Mechislav /
Gritskevich Anatoly /
Grushevoy Guennady /
Gryaznova Ludmila /
Gusak Stanislav /
Daneiko Pavel /
Dashuk Victor /
Dobrovolsky Alexander /
Domash Semyon /
Drebezova Galina /
Dudareva Nadezhda /
Yelfimov Victor /
Zhelyapov Christofor /
Zhuk Pavel /
Zhurakovsky Valery /
Zakharenko Yuri /
Znavets Pavel /
Ivashkevich Victor /
Ipatova Olga /
Kamotskaya Kasya /
Karavaichik Ivan /
Karnazytsky Pavel /
Karpenko Guennady /
Katsora Vladimir /
Kobasa Miroslav /
Kozlovsky Pavel /
Korneenko Victor /
Korol Alexei /
Korotkevich Olga /
Kostka Valery /
Lavrovskaya Irina /
Lebedko Anatoly /
Litvina Zhanna /
Marinich Mikhail /
Markevich Nikolai /
Marochkin Ales /
Martselev Serguei /
Matskevich Vladimir /
Milinkevich Alexander /
Mindlin Leonid /
Mitskevich Maria /
Nistyuk Vladimir /
Ogurtsov Yevgueny /
Ostrovsky Ales /
Pastukhov Mikhail /
Pogonyailo Garry /
Potupa Alexander /
Protko Tatyana /
Rovdo Vladimir /
Saverchenko Ivan /
Sannikov Andrei /
Severinets Pavel /
Sivukha Valery /
Sivchik Vyacheslav /
Skochko Yevgueny /
Sosnov Alexander /
Statkevich Nikolai /
Taras Valentin /
Tikhinya Valery /
Tregubovich Valentina /
Trusov Oleg /
Tychina Mikhas /
Fadeev Valery /
Fridland Mikhail /
Khalezin Nikolai /
Khalip Vladimir /
Khashchevatsky Yuri /
Khodyko Yuri /
Chernov Victor /
Chigir Mikhail /
Shalkevich Victor /
Sharetsky Semyon /
Shaternik Alexander /
Sheremet Pavel /
Sherman Carlos /
Shlyndikov Vassily /
Shushkevich Stanislav /
Shchukin Valery /
Yurina Galina /
Yakovlevsky Roman
This material was taken from http://pages.prodigy.net/dr_fission/bpf/charter.htm
Date of internet release: November 14, 1997
| 31/08/2005, San Carlos, California |
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