Valer Capkala was one of the candidates in the recent presidential election but failed to be registered despite the required number of support signatures. Veranika Capkala was a member of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s election campaign team.

The meeting with Minister Jacek Czaputowicz was an expression of support for Belarusian civil society, which, during and after the election campaign, still demands respect for civil liberties and human rights, and a re-run of the presidential election, as it failed to meet democratic standards and its legitimacy is disputed. The interlocutors agreed that the sight of the Belarusian capital and many other cities with thousands of people protesting against the rigged election results demonstrates the resolve and willingness to proceed with peaceful changes in our eastern neighbour.

“A right and desirable step in this direction would be to hold new presidential elections that would meet the recommendations of international organisations and institutions, to invite international observers, and to ensure full participation of civil society in the process,” emphasised the chief of Polish diplomacy, pointing out that the Minsk authorities’ willingness to start this dialogue will be proved, in the first place, be releasing all prisoners arrested for political reasons and because of their participation in peaceful protests.

The Belarusian guests expressed their thanks for Poland’s support to civil society and independent media and, above all, for its willingness to assist the victims of repressions and violence in the recent demonstrations in Belarus. In addition to the existing support, a new aid framework will be set up as part of a Plan of Solidarity with Belarus, recently announced by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

MFA Press Office

photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA