European Belarus activists picketing conference attended by Ramanchuk (Photo)

• 23.03.2011, 14:41

Activists of European Belarus civil campaign held a protest action in front of Bristol Hotel in Warsaw on March 23.

The reason for the protest was a conference “How to democratize Belarus” organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs and the UK Embassy in Warsaw, the press service of European Belarus reports.

The conference itself didn’t differ from dozens of similar events in Poland and Europe. The indignation of the picketers was caused by the participants supposed to represent the democratic forces of Belarus. The conference was attended by Alyaksandr Milinkevich, who continues to introduce himself as “the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces”, and Yaraslau Ramanchuk, a former presidential candidate.

Many participants of the conference wondered how it was possible to invite and give floor to Ramanchuk after the mean act he had done. Can the Belarusian democratic forces be represented by more decent people? Ramanchuk betrayed not only his party friends, he betrayed the democratic community.

The activists brought portraits of the imprisoned people cynically defamed and betrayed by Ramanchuk.

After the conference started, coordinator of European Belarus civil campaign Zmitser Barodka asked Ramanchuk if the latter had conscience. He heard no reply. Some participants left the conference room in protest.