The statement of Japan PEN President regarding Belarus
- 2020.09.10
- 国際ペン
It was published on the Belarus Pen website on September 9 and sent to the world.
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, we received a heartfelt message (http://www.tufs.ac.jp/blog/
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, we received a heartfelt message (http://www.tufs.ac.jp/blog/
But this time, the message is about the crisis in her country, Belarus.
For 26 years since 1994, following the end of the Cold War, President Lukashenko has ruled the country with an iron fist. During this time, political turmoil has frequently occurred, and freedom of speech and freedom of thought have been restricted.
Meanwhile, the presidential election was held last week. It is said that the election was held under an abnormal situation where the National Election Commission did not allow a powerful opposition candidate to run for election and his wife ran for the election. The commission announced that President Lukashenko had won the election with over 80% of the vote, but the situation in Belarus is becoming more and more chaotic as protests pointing out irregularities in vote counting have spread nationwide, and the police and security forces have violently suppressed them, resulting in deaths and injuries.
Alexievich‘s message came about in this context.
The “Coordination Council” established by opposition candidates and representatives of civil society organizations, as well as celebrities and experts of Belarus, with the aim of restoring law and order to a smooth transition of power. However, the Lukashenko regime has refused to talk with them, detaining or deporting key members one after another.
Even in these times of crisis, the message of Alexievich — dare I say it — is beautifully worded. Instead of splitting the world, it calls for dialogue and the return of pride and love.
For 26 years since 1994, following the end of the Cold War, President Lukashenko has ruled the country with an iron fist. During this time, political turmoil has frequently occurred, and freedom of speech and freedom of thought have been restricted.
Meanwhile, the presidential election was held last week. It is said that the election was held under an abnormal situation where the National Election Commission did not allow a powerful opposition candidate to run for election and his wife ran for the election. The commission announced that President Lukashenko had won the election with over 80% of the vote, but the situation in Belarus is becoming more and more chaotic as protests pointing out irregularities in vote counting have spread nationwide, and the police and security forces have violently suppressed them, resulting in deaths and injuries.
Alexievich‘s message came about in this context.
The “Coordination Council” established by opposition candidates and representatives of civil society organizations, as well as celebrities and experts of Belarus, with the aim of restoring law and order to a smooth transition of power. However, the Lukashenko regime has refused to talk with them, detaining or deporting key members one after another.
Even in these times of crisis, the message of Alexievich — dare I say it — is beautifully worded. Instead of splitting the world, it calls for dialogue and the return of pride and love.
Belarus is not close to us. However, the country was severely damaged by the Chernobyl nuclear accident, and nearly 20% of the country’s land is still polluted, with more than 10% of the people living in the polluted areas. And many people are very interested in the nuclear accident in Fukushima and how reconstruction is going.
Please take note of the current crisis in Belarus and read the message from Alexievich.
We also condemn the arrests of our Belarus PEN colleagues during the peaceful manifest in Minsk recenty and we request Belarus authority to release them immediately and unconditionally with other political prisoners.
September 10, 2020
Shinobu Yoshioka
President
The Japan PEN Club