Tuesday, December 30, 2025
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

Federal aid for oil sector still in development, three months later

Federal aid for oil sector still in development, three months later
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says if bridge loans for smaller oil and gas companies aren't ready to flow soon some companies will have to turn to less-safe options to survive the COVID-19 slowdown.

Federal aid for oil sector still in development, three months later

Federal economics and fiscal 'snapshot' coming July 8: Trudeau

Federal economics and fiscal 'snapshot' coming July 8: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is promising to deliver a "snapshot" of the federal government's finances in the House of Commons July 8.

Federal economics and fiscal 'snapshot' coming July 8: Trudeau

Canada will stay engaged regardless of UN Security Council outcome: Trudeau

Canada will stay engaged regardless of UN Security Council outcome: Trudeau
Even if Canada loses its bid for a United Nations Security Council seat, it will continue its international efforts to fight against climate change, economic inequity and preserving the world's increasingly fragile institutions, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday.

Canada will stay engaged regardless of UN Security Council outcome: Trudeau

National parks to open campgrounds for existing reservations next week

National parks to open campgrounds for existing reservations next week
The federal environment minister says Canadians who have campground reservations in some national parks will be allowed to pitch their tents and pull in their trailers starting next week.

National parks to open campgrounds for existing reservations next week

Canada buying 140,000 blood tests to begin immunity testing of COVID-19

Canada buying 140,000 blood tests to begin immunity testing of COVID-19
Blood samples collected from tens of thousands of Canadians will soon be tested for signs of COVID-19 antibodies as the federal government seeks to learn how many people have already contracted the novel coronavirus.

Canada buying 140,000 blood tests to begin immunity testing of COVID-19

Many arrests as Vancouver police enforce injunction against homeless camp

Many arrests as Vancouver police enforce injunction against homeless camp
Police have made dozens of arrests after they say 46 people refused to obey a court injunction and leave a tent encampment on Vancouver's waterfront.

Many arrests as Vancouver police enforce injunction against homeless camp