Extra-schedule Assembly of Union of Belarusian Writers Supports Its Administration with Ales Pashkevich at the Head

According to RFE/RL

The Union of Belarusian Writers held an extra-schedule assembly after the exhaustion of the agenda of the Literary Fund, organization, whose members also belong to the UBW. On 9 December about 200 literary workers decided to discuss the situation after the establishment of the pro-governmental union of writers with the deputy Mikalai Charhinets at the head. The UBW members unanimously voted for the exclusion of 12 literary workers that joined that union: Charhinets, Marchuk, Trakhimionak, Baravikova, Aurutsin, Sulianau, Ales Martsinovich, Karyzna, Papova, Pazniakou, Ryhor Sakalouski and Palikamina.

In his statement Mikalai Charhinets accused UBW in non-recognizing the Belarusian authorities and the state symbols.

The assembly also adopted a special statement where it to expressed support to the organization leaders, stated the unity of the organization in defending the liberty of word and democratic principles of state-building, expressed its concern with the catastrophic narrowing of the spheres of the use of the Belarusian language, protested against the assault of the officials on non-state mass media, public defamation and groundless criticism towards the UBW activity by its former members, who declared the establishment of the “correct” union of writers either because of their own ambitions or the state order.

Ales Pashkievich, leader of the Union of Belarusian Writers, stated such assemblies would be also held in Belarusian regions.