The mass hunger strike lasts for already 9 days in Belarus. 40 young people demand to stop criminal proceeding of activists of “Young Front” organization and political arrests of oppositionists. (06-JUN-06)
Source www.svaboda.org, www.euramost.org Illustartion www.mfront.com
In order to bring notice
On the 29th of May activists of youth unregistered organization “Young Front” has begun action of protest against political repressions in Belarus. 4 young men embarked on termless hunger strike at the private apartment in Soligorsk (Minsk region) and hang a big banner “Hunger strike” on the balcony. During a week 33 more activists have joined them in different regions of Belarus and 1 in Ukraine. “We have taken such measures in order to bring notice of society to criminal prosecution of “Young Front” leaders. We call the representatives of other organizations and regions to join hunger strike”- they declared.
Requirements
Hungering persons have also directed announce to the regional prosecutor´s office and local municipality, in which they explained the reasons of hunger strike and their requirements. It is said, in particular, that these young men had to take measures of last resort because of “illegal expulsion of Maksim Semenchik from educational institution, criminal prosecution of “Young Front” activists and illegal deprivation of freedom of Dmitry Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Pavel Severinec and Sergei Liashkevich because of political motives”. Hunger strike participants demand to reinstate Maksim Semenchik in educational institution, to stop criminal prosecution of “Young Front” activists and to make free political prisoners.
(Let us remind you that according to HR organizations’ information more then 20 political activists have been judged upon Criminal Code or still wait for the trials or they are on remand.)
Non-violent protest
Hunger strike as the form of non-violent protest has become widespread in Belarus for the last years. Ex-chairman of “Young Front” Nikilai Statkevich embarked on hunger strike against unfair judgement. Political prisoner Valeryi Levonevski did the same against an arbitrary behavior of prison’s administration. There were mass hunger strikes of taxi drivers led by businessmen Nikolai Avtuhovich in 2003, 2005 years. The most famous hunger strike was one held by deputy group “Republic” in 2004 with the demand to democratize electoral legislation in Belarus. “Young Front” activists have embarked on hunger strike against expulsion them from educational institution in 2005.
Authorities’ reaction.
Belarusian authorities have to respond some how on such citizens’ actions. Up to previous experience they take into account requirements of protesting people and try to realize a small part of them, but with big exceptions.
This time local authorities have promised to consider Maksim Semenchik’s case and that’s it. Another reaction was like this. Local policemen took down the banner “Hunger strike” twice not to shock the citizens of provincial town Soligorsk. But the banner appeared again and again.
