Maksim Viniarski: Free People Can Have Effect On Many Things

Belarusians must square off against Decree No. 1.

Coordinator of the European Belarus civil campaign Maksim Viniarski said that to Сharter97.org, commenting on the protest rallies held against Decree No. 3 last year:

– I believe that the Marches of Disgruntled Belarusians have become a test of dignity for Belarusians. A part of the Belarusian society has passed this exam with an excellent mark.

After all, the infamous decree was not put into effect, moreover, it was actually abolished. The abolition of the tax on "parasitism" is the achievement of every participant in the protests, regardless of where they were held. The pressure of the society and the fact that people took to the streets of cities did their job. We should not forget about this in the future.

– Decree No. 3 was replaced by Decree No. 1, which practically does not differ from the previous one. Mikalai Statkevich says that if a lot of people join the rally on March 25, the authorities will not dare to put the updated tax on "parasitism" in operation. Do you agree with this opinion?

– The fact is that according to the new decree, the authorities will collect money or throw a yoke over the neck of each Belarusian separately. They hope that with such an approach, people will not protect each other. They will raise the prices for the communal services for some people, try to drive others to the Medical-Labour Centres. And the essence will be as follows: take hostages, make dependent those citizens who do not yet recognize the "lordly boot" above themselves. Will the Belarusians come back to the times of serfdom? We will see.

I would like to note that today's Freedom Day is a big holiday. The dictator is angry that the people celebrate it at their own will, and not by his order. Free people who want to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian People's Republic can have an effect on many things.