Yesterday, on Sunday 18th March 2012, the Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) and their partners organised a coordinated pan-European "Free Belarus Action" in over 85 cities all over Europe to show support for the suppressed Belarusian civil society and opposition movement, and to protest against Europe’s last standing dictatorship. The action took place on the sixth anniversary of the disputed presidential elections in Belarus.

With the annual “Free Belarus” Action, JEF continues to bring attention to the situation in Belarus, where we are continuously witnessing the breach of laws of freedom, and to the EU’s hesitant international policy, which refuses to clearly stand up to the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenka. Despite the appalling record of disrespect of basic human rights in Belarus – such as the growing list of political prisoners and the persistent suppression of free speech – the European Union still refuses to take a clear stand on the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenka. The recent reluctance to sanctions against Belarusian businessmen has sent out a mixed message which further complicates relations with Belarus. This indecisiveness must stop.

“Unfortunately, it was once more necessary for Young European Federalists, their partners and friends to take the streets in the cities across Europe and speak up about the situation in Belarus. Our wish is that the EU would do the same,” says Pauline Gessant, the president of JEF Europe.

 “If the EU wants to promote itself as an ambassador of peace, democracy and human rights, it should move from words to actions. In order to increase the pressure on Lukashenka, the EU must abandon its ambiguous foreign policy and consider stronger sanctions such as travel and visa restrictions against high officials as well as restrictive measures like the freezing of assets,” stresses Gessant.

“In the past, our street actions consisted of silent protests against the silence forced on Belarus’s citizens by the dictator. This year, we decided to change the mode of the action and to speak up on behalf of Belarusian citizens. The hesitance can only worsen the situation in Belarus. We must join forces and speak up for Belarus to show solidarity with its suppressed citizens,” explains Radoslava Šeráková, Free Belarus Action coordinator.

JEF’s message is clear: The EU cannot wait anymore and should implement tougher sanctions against Lukashenka’s dictatorial regime. Lukashenka has already made his stance on the meaning of human rights clear – now it’s time for the EU to follow the initiative of JEF and its partners, and speak up for democracy in Belarus.

Details on the 7th Pan-European Street Action for a Free and Democratic Belarus!

Who: JEF-Europe (Young European Federalists) and partners

What: Street actions to gag statues with banners saying: "Speak Up For Democracy in Belarus!" and putting up megaphones in front of them; flash mobs in front of public buildings

Where: Simultaneously in cities across Europe and the world

When: 18th March 2012 – the anniversary of Lukashenka’s condemned election victory

Why: Ever since coming to power in 1994 the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenka, has oppressed the freedom of his people and ignored their voices. JEF believes that a united Europe can be achieved only if all people in Europe become united in their action and support each other. Freedom is a key foundation of a just and democratic Europe, and we as Europeans cannot leave the Belarusian citizens behind!

How: By collecting the actions’ photos from young people all over Europe and putting them on the JEF blog within a few hours after the action we make an important statement that will be heard clearly by EU Institutions and officials, the dictatorial regime and the citizens of Belarus.

More information on www.free-belarus.eu

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