A mass hunger strike that started 9 days ago, is continuing in Belarus. Some 40 young people are demanding hat the authorities stop the criminal proceeding against activists of the organisation “Young Front” and no longer arrest people on political grounds. Lately more than 20 people political prisoners have been sentenced. (06-JUN-06)
Source www.svaboda.org, www.euramost.org Illustartion www.mfront.com
In order to bring notice
On 29 May activists of the unregistered youth organization “Young Front” began their action of protest against the political repressions in Belarus. Four young men embarked on termless hunger strike at a private apartment in Soligorsk (Minsk region) and hang a big banner saying “Hunger strike” on the balcony. During a week 33 more activists joint 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 the hunger strike”- they declared.
Requirements
Hungering persons have also directed announcements to the regional prosecutor´s office and local municipality, in which they explained the reasons of the hunger strike and their demands. It is said that the young men had to take measures of last resort because of the “illegal expulsion of Maksim Semenchik from his educational institution, the 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”. (Let us remind you that according to human rights organizations 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 during the last years. Ex-chairman of “Young Front” Nikilai Statkevich embarked on a hunger strike against unfair judgement and political prisoner Valeryi Levonevski did the same against the arbitrary behavior of a 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 the one held by the 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 somehow 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.
