Close X
Thursday, September 19, 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

Canada-U.S. to extend border restrictions

Canada-U.S. to extend border restrictions
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border will be extended another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada-U.S. to extend border restrictions

Atlantic Canada against lifting quarantine rules: survey

Atlantic Canada against lifting quarantine rules: survey
A new survey indicates Atlantic Canada is largely opposed to lifting travel restrictions for Canadians who live outside the region.

Atlantic Canada against lifting quarantine rules: survey

Vigils tonight for doctor killed at walk-in clinic

Vigils tonight for doctor killed at walk-in clinic
Two vigils are planned Friday evening for a family doctor who was killed at a walk-in clinic in central Alberta earlier this week.

Vigils tonight for doctor killed at walk-in clinic

Residency for asylum seekers on front lines

Residency for asylum seekers on front lines
Asylum seekers working on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis are getting an early chance at permanent residency in Canada, but some advocates say the government's plan will leave thousands of workers on the sidelines.

Residency for asylum seekers on front lines

Man pleads guilty in gas-and-dash death

Man pleads guilty in gas-and-dash death
A man who was charged with second-degree murder after an Alberta gas station owner was killed in a gas-and-dash has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Man pleads guilty in gas-and-dash death

WE Charity registers as federal lobbyist

WE Charity registers as federal lobbyist
WE Charity registered Thursday as a lobbyist of the federal government — months after it began talks with federal officials about potential programs to help Canadian youths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WE Charity registers as federal lobbyist