"It is crucial for us to hold Lukashenko accountable for the crimes he has committed", — stated Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM), during a meeting with Belgian Ambassador Rik van Droogenbroeck and General Representative of Flanders to Poland Matthias de Moor.
Pavel Latushka continues consultations with ambassadors and diplomats from EU member states and other democratic countries on using international justice mechanisms to bring Lukashenko and his accomplices to justice, as well as to support democratic reforms in Belarus. In October, Pavel Latushka met with representatives from Foreign Ministries, ambassadors, and diplomats from Ireland, Belgium, Latvia, Austria, Estonia, Hungary, Canada, Poland, the Czech Republic, and other countries.
During the meeting, Pavel Latushka informed his interlocutors about the fact that the Lithuanian Government has submitted materials on the crimes of Lukashenko and his accomplices to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Pavel Latushka presented the Aide-memoir and materials containing evidence for the investigation of crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people. The NAM Head stressed that it is particularly important at this time for partner countries, including Belgium, to support the ICC submission. The Belgian Ambassador assured him that these documents would be forwarded to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and highlighted the significance of the NAM’s work in this direction.
During the discussion, Pavel Latushka urged the Belgian Government not to recognize the "elections" scheduled by the regime for January 26, 2025, citing, among other reasons, that:
The elections cannot be free and fair due to the climate of fear and political repression;
There is no possibility of an honest vote count;
Conditions for independent observation and parallel vote counting are absent;
Opposition politicians are imprisoned or in exile, with over 1,300 political prisoners;
Laws prevent alternative candidates from participating if they are being persecuted or live abroad;
Independent media have been eliminated and declared extremist;
All 11 opposition parties have been dissolved, and over 1,700 NGOs (more than 50%) have been closed;
Voters face intimidation and pressure;
Belarusians abroad are denied the right to vote, despite past practices of voting at overseas polling stations;
The regime does not intend to invite international observers, undermining the credibility of the elections.
Pavel Latushka briefed his interlocutors on the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and emphasized the importance of their release. The need to end the ongoing daily repression in the country was also underscored.
Pavel Latushka further informed the Belgian Ambassador that Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces and units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs under the Lukashenko regime are preparing to suppress protests in Belarus. He also raised concerns about statements from the Russian side indicating a readiness to interfere in Belarusian internal affairs and deploy Russian armed forces to suppress protests in Belarus.
The Representative of Flanders highlighted that the coalition agreement of the new Flemish Government — the largest region in Belgium — prioritizes support for democratic forces in Belarus.
The Belgian Ambassador and the General Representative of Flanders expressed their support for the democratic forces of Belarus, thanked Pavel Latushka for the information, and reiterated their commitment to supporting the Belarusian people.
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