Sunday, December 28, 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

Charities say federal aid needed to survive

Charities say federal aid needed to survive
The federal Liberal government is facing growing calls to provide direct support to Canada's charity and non-profit sector as some of the country's best-known and largest organizations say they are struggling to survive because of COVID-19.

Charities say federal aid needed to survive

PBO costs basic income as calls for it grow

PBO costs basic income as calls for it grow
The parliamentary budget office says it could cost more than $98 billion to provide almost all Canadians with a basic income for six months beginning this fall.

PBO costs basic income as calls for it grow

Poll suggests opposition to airlines' plans

Poll suggests opposition to airlines' plans
A new poll suggests turbulence ahead for airlines seeking public support for their current COVID-19 plans.

Poll suggests opposition to airlines' plans

Bears trying their best to live with people

Bears trying their best to live with people
Grizzly bears are doing their best to get along with people, but it still isn't enough.

Bears trying their best to live with people

Two men found dead in Vancouver and police identify vehicle of interest in the homicides

Two men found dead in Vancouver and police identify vehicle of interest in the homicides
Two people have been found dead in a home in east Vancouver. A statement from Vancouver police says the two men had been shot.

Two men found dead in Vancouver and police identify vehicle of interest in the homicides

Vancouver Police make arrest for random assaults in park

Vancouver Police make arrest for random assaults in park
A man has been arrested and charged following multiple random assaults in Queen Elizabeth Park on Sunday.

Vancouver Police make arrest for random assaults in park