MINSK, 16 November (BelTA) – Any unauthorized rally with participation of unorganized young people may go sideways, Sergei Gaidukevich, Deputy Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, said as he commented on the calls for unauthorized youth rallies in Belarus, BelTA has learned.
“Why stir up a situation in a calm country, why call on people up via social networks and messengers? When such events are held thoughtlessly, when young people are involved, this may end bad for both organizers and participants, because anything can happen. We know this from experience of other countries,” Sergei Gaidukevich said.
According to him, such rallies should be held exclusively with the permission of authorities. “Some people may disagree with certain things. Others do not want to see unauthorized rallies in the city downtown and possible trouble that may ensue. If someone wants to discuss certain issues, they should do it openly, without trying to agitate the youth via social networks,” Sergei Gaidukevich noted.
Sergei Gaidukevich stressed that most young people do not even understand what they get themselves into and why. “People pursue different goals. Some want to come and voice their position. Others want to create trouble. They are young people, after all. Some do not have an idea why this is happening. Someone may just throw in some slogans and take the rally into some other direction. I want to reiterate: such events should be held with the permission of the authorities as is the case in all other countries. I do not want to intimidate anyone. When such rallies are unauthorized, when no one is responsible, this may lead to trouble. People should understand that,” Sergei Gaidukevich added.
