Andrei Sannikov: European Union To Watch Action On October 21 Closely

Lukashenka’s invitation to Brussels could be cancelled.

Leader of the civil campaign "European Belarus" Andrei Sannikov informed this to the website charter97.org, commenting on the cancellation of the visit to Minsk of European Commissioner Johaness Hahn.

— You were a consistent opponent of this visit, which was to take place on October 17. With what do you associate its cancellation?

— I was one of those who contacted Johaness Hahn through social networks and European structures. Belarusians of Belgium, as well as citizens of Belarus, also addressed him.

We can only welcome the cancellation of this visit. I believe that this cancellation is connected with the fact that arrests and detentions of opposition leaders in view of a mass peaceful protest began in Belarus.

In this case, the European Union reacted adequately. After Lukashenka received an invitation to Brussels, the regime in Belarus decided that everything was allowed, including repression. It turned out that no. I think that the fact that Hahn's visit was canceled is connected with this.

Now Brussels will closely monitor how the Belarusian authorities will allow citizens to realize their protest on October 21. I would like to stress once again: peaceful protest is an inalienable right of citizens. The Belarusian authorities’ further relations with the European Union will depend on how they behave on October 21.The invitation of Lukashenka to Brussels can also be withdrawn.

— Is the cancellation of Khan’s visit a merit of those politicians in Belarus who stuck to the principle position: no contacts between the EU and the dictator?

— It is too early to talk about any major changes or revolutionary amendments in the situation between the EU and the official Minsk.

But we, the opposition and the civil society in Belarus, constantly say that any indulgence to the dictator turns into more severe repression against us.

The situation with the invitation to Brussels was a striking example: as soon as Lukashenka received it, the persecution of opposition activists started immediately.

I want to note that activists and leaders of the civil campaign "European Belarus" took the brunt. And "European Belarus", as you know, is a campaign that advocates peaceful transformations in Belarus.