Wednesday, December 31, 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

Old photos surface on Instagram of a Fraser Valley school hosting 'SLAVE DAY'

Old photos surface on Instagram of a Fraser Valley school hosting 'SLAVE DAY'
Some controversial news out of Rosedale Middle School in the Fraser Valley that is being talked about on social media. The school hosted SLAVE DAY a decade ago and raised money.

Old photos surface on Instagram of a Fraser Valley school hosting 'SLAVE DAY'

Research finds sea otter comeback worth millions but not all benefit

Research finds sea otter comeback worth millions but not all benefit
The return of playful, popular sea otters to the Pacific shores of British Columbia is adding nearly $50 million a year to the province's economy despite its impact on valuable fisheries, says a study.

Research finds sea otter comeback worth millions but not all benefit

Vancouver mayor wants B.C. premier to review policing across province

Vancouver mayor wants B.C. premier to review policing across province
Vancouver's mayor wants the B.C. government to conduct a review of policing across the province. Kennedy Stewart says city council can do little to change policing in Vancouver and the provincial government could override any potential decision.

Vancouver mayor wants B.C. premier to review policing across province

Alberta licence plates become targets for COVID-19 fears in some B.C. towns

Alberta licence plates become targets for COVID-19 fears in some B.C. towns
Some British Columbia communities are urging residents to show kindness during the COVID-19 pandemic following media reports of confrontations and rudeness shown to people driving vehicles with out-of-province licence plates.

Alberta licence plates become targets for COVID-19 fears in some B.C. towns

B.C. records highest overdose death toll for one month in May

B.C. records highest overdose death toll for one month in May
British Columbia has recorded the highest number of illicit drug overdose deaths in a single month, reaching the grim milestone in May. The coroners service says 170 people died in May, compared with 76 deaths in February as concentrations of the deadly opioid fentanyl have increased.

B.C. records highest overdose death toll for one month in May

Politicians urged to collaborate on pandemic benefit for disabled Canadians

Politicians urged to collaborate on pandemic benefit for disabled Canadians
Federal politicians are being urged to work together to help Canadians with disabilities weather the COVID-19 crisis.

Politicians urged to collaborate on pandemic benefit for disabled Canadians