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

Target to close on Thanksgiving, ending Black Friday kickoff

Target to close on Thanksgiving, ending Black Friday kickoff
Target is joining Walmart in closing its stores on Thanksgiving Day, ending a decade long tradition of jump starting Black Friday door buster sales.

Target to close on Thanksgiving, ending Black Friday kickoff

B.C. puts controversial overdose bill on hold

B.C. puts controversial overdose bill on hold
The British Columbia government has paused legislation aimed at detaining youth under 19 in care after they overdose but the representative for children and youth says it should be withdrawn altogether.

B.C. puts controversial overdose bill on hold

Out of province plates? Take bus: B.C. premier

Out of province plates? Take bus: B.C. premier
British Columbia Premier John Horgan says drivers who have out-of-province licence plates on their vehicles should consider taking public transit or riding a bicycle if they're feeling harassed by people.

Out of province plates? Take bus: B.C. premier

Senate meets to vote on COVID-19 bill

Senate meets to vote on COVID-19 bill
The Senate is meeting today to vote on extending the federal government's emergency wage subsidy for employers hit hard by COVID-19.

Senate meets to vote on COVID-19 bill

Police aid sought after tourists descend on Gaspe

Police aid sought after tourists descend on Gaspe
A member of the Quebec legislature representing the popular tourist region of Gaspe is calling on the province to send police and money to help locals deal with rowdy vacationers.

Police aid sought after tourists descend on Gaspe

Senator urges Ottawa to fund Canadian vaccine

Senator urges Ottawa to fund Canadian vaccine
An Alberta senator is urging Ottawa to fund a Canadian company so it can develop a domestic COVID-19 vaccine to lessen the risk Canadians will have wait in a line on a foreign-made pandemic cure.

Senator urges Ottawa to fund Canadian vaccine