Close X
Friday, September 20, 2024
ADVT 
National

Belarus election 'fraudulent': Champagne

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Aug, 2020 09:45 PM
  • Belarus election 'fraudulent': Champagne

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Canada does not accept the results of the "fraudulent" presidential election in Belarus.

He says Canada is calling for "free and fair elections" in Belarus, where authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is under increasing pressure to step down.

The statement from Champagne comes as strikes grew across Belarus, following a brutal dispersal of peaceful, post-election demonstrations last week.

At least 7,000 were detained by riot police, many complaining they were beaten mercilessly, while one protester was killed and hundreds were wounded.

Champagne, who spoke with opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya over the weekend, says Canada condemns the crackdown on protesters.

He is also calling for a thorough investigation by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, whose assessments of elections are widely regarded as authoritative.

"Canada joins its partners in the international community in condemnation of the crackdown on peaceful protesters following the presidential election in Belarus," Champagne says in the statement.

"We do not accept the results of this fraudulent presidential election in Belarus and call for free and fair elections," he says.

"Canada will continue to stand with the people of Belarus, and we will work with our international partners to ensure that their voices are heard and that those responsible for undermining democracy and for brutal actions against protesters are held to account."

MORE National ARTICLES

New EI-like benefit to replace CERB: PM

New EI-like benefit to replace CERB: PM
The federal government plans to move as many out-of-work Canadians into the employment insurance system when a key emergency benefit runs out in the fall, and provide an EI-like support for millions who can't qualify under existing rules.

New EI-like benefit to replace CERB: PM

Nightclub worker gets 8 years for sex assaults

Nightclub worker gets 8 years for sex assaults
A former Edmonton nightclub employee convicted of sexually assaulting five women has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Nightclub worker gets 8 years for sex assaults

No conflict of interest in WE deal: Trudeau

No conflict of interest in WE deal: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he knew there would be problems with perception over having WE Charity run a $900-million student-volunteer program, but he believed there was no conflict of interest because his family would not benefit.

No conflict of interest in WE deal: Trudeau

Navy enters new era with new Arctic warship

Navy enters new era with new Arctic warship
 The Royal Canadian Navy is poised to enter a new era by taking possession of the first armed warship under the federal government's multibillion-dollar shipbuilding plan, and the first built for Arctic military operations in decades.

Navy enters new era with new Arctic warship

Bail delayed again in Rideau Hall case

Bail delayed again in Rideau Hall case
The man accused of ramming through a gate at Rideau Hall while heavily armed is staying in an Ontario jail for another three weeks.

Bail delayed again in Rideau Hall case

WATCH: BC Teachers Against Dr Bonnie Henry's School Reopening Plan

WATCH: BC Teachers Against Dr Bonnie Henry's School Reopening Plan
BCTF wants to delay School Reopening. So by challenging BC's well liked top health official Dr. Bonnie Henry's position and the re-opening plan, will there be a possible delay the opening date is the question. 

WATCH: BC Teachers Against Dr Bonnie Henry's School Reopening Plan