"It is currently impossible to organize truly competitive elections in Belarus, so what Lukashenko calls 'elections' in 2025 are nothing more than another attempt by the dictator to reappoint himself to the post of president that he has usurped", — said Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management Pavel Latushka during a meeting with Australian Ambassador to Poland Benjamin Hayes.
As part of ongoing consultations with diplomatic representatives of democratic countries, Pavel Latushko met with the Australian Ambassador to Poland on September 23. Consultations have already taken place with the heads of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors and diplomats of Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, as well as with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights.
Pavel Latushka listed specific steps that Australia can take to truly help Belarusians get rid of the dictatorship as quickly as possible and return democracy to Belarus:
support Belarusian democratic forces: we must not forget about Belarus, it is necessary to raise the Belarusian issue at all international platforms;
do not wait for changes in Russia, support democratic transformations in Belarus now, understand the difference between the Belarusian society, which does not support the war and Lukashenko, and the Russian one;
support Belarusian independent media — this is the only way to fight the propaganda of the Lukashenko’s regime and Russian propaganda, into which huge funds are poured;
support the cultural identity of Belarusians.
Separately, Pavel Latushka spoke about the III conference "New Belarus", which was held in Vilnius on August 3-4. The Australian Ambassador was given the declarations adopted during the conference: the Declaration on Accountability and Restoration of Justice, the Declaration on Foreign Policy Priorities of Democratic Belarus and the "Platform 2025".
Pavel Latushka stressed the importance of continuing the sanctions pressure on Lukashenko's regime and the need for further harmonization of sanctions against Lukashenko's regime and Russia. The Australian Ambassador was also given a list of Lukashenko's accomplices responsible for political repressions against Belarusians.
Benjamin Hayes stressed that international norms are important for Australia, and those who violate them must be held accountable for their actions. The Australian Ambassador assured that his country actively supports the democratic aspirations of Belarusians and intends to continue to support them, and will also use its voice in the international arena to defend democratic values.
Pavel Latushka stressed the importance of holding Lukashenko and his accomplices accountable for crimes against humanity — against Belarusians, for a war crime — the deportation of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine, as well as for an act of aggression against a neighboring state — Ukraine.
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