Political refugee: Many will return when possible
Euroradio has interviewed Belarusian political refugees.
“It is easier to describe the situation in Belarus to politicians and civil activists when you are in Lithuania," says Aleh Myatselitsa, one of the activists of "Belarusian Representative Office in Lithuania".
“We organize events for Belarusians living in Lithuania and help Lithuanians get to know our culture, we organize concerts and expositions. This is what we do here."
Activist of "European Belarus" Zmitser Barodka also left Belarus after the presidential election. He is the chairman of "Belarusian House in Warsaw" now. It is more convenient to work abroad because everything can be done legally and you do not have to think about persecution.
“Our main task is assistance. We are helping Belarusians abroad."
Head of the movement "Together" Vyachaslau Siuchyk lives in Kiev now. He is trying to inform Ukrainians about Belarusian problems:
"Many actions in support of political prisoners and cultural events have been organized in Ukraine since I arrived. We have been engaged in political work too."
Vyachaslau Dziyanau was involved in the silent protests in 2011 and lives in Poland now.
“We cannot say that we have achieved everything we wanted. We have plans for the future. But these are only plans. We opened the fund "Integration Bridge" a month ago. I think that there will be more opportunities now."
Dziyanau thinks that many political refugees will come back to Belarus when the government changes.
“In my opinion, people may start retuning when the situation and the government change. They are still watching what is going on. However, others may consider it pragmatic or egoistic."
To find out whether this forecast is true, you just need to wait for the government to change.
