Natallya Pinchuk: Paleckis must show his hand

The situation of political prisoners does not and will scarcely change for the better.

Natallya Pinchuk, the wife of political prisoner Ales Byalyatski, gave an interview to charter97.org.

“The statement by head of the EP's delegation for relations with Belarus Justas Paleckis about a possible release of political prisoners is interesting of course, but I don't think we can raise our hopes. I was surprised by his words that we should not insist on their full rehabilitation. Justas Paleckis based his opinion on the alleged stance of some representatives of the opposition and civil society, who stand against struggling for full rehabilitation of political prisoners,” Ales Byalyatski's wife said.

She stresses Justas Paleckis should show his hand and say if this opinion was his personal stance.

“I would like to know if it is MEP Paleckis's attempt to depart from the EU's principled position and hide behind opinions of other people or this point of view really exists. In this case, I'd like to know who from the opposition and civil society stands against struggling for full rehabilitation of political prisoners. It concerns both former and current political prisoners. I don't want to guess. I'd like to hear a clear answer to this question, if it reaches the addressee. Justas Paleckis should show his hand. I am not the only one who wants to know it,” Natallya Pinchuk is confident.

It should be reminded that a visit of EP's rapporteur on Belarus Justas Paleckis to Minsk and his talks with the Belarusian authorities were criticised both by opposition representatives and relatives of political prisoners.