Mothers-328: There’ll be Maidan if authorities fail to heed our plea

The women whose relatives are serving sentences for drug use (Article 328 of the Criminal Code) have gathered in Independence Square in Minsk; they are seeking to discuss their issue of concern with Belarusian MPs.

The main demands of the Mothers-328 movement remain the same: meeting with president Alyaksandr Lukashenka; conducting a reform which would result in mitigating sentences of the convicted under Art. 328-3 and 328-4 and granting amnesties. They believe that punishment for drug users is disproportionate and too severe, e.g. up to 10 years behind bars for half a gram of some drug.

Two weeks ago, the activists of the movement collected signatures in support of their requirements and participated in the meetings with representatives of the Interior Ministry and the Council of Ministers. Then, they were promised that the officials would discuss the issue and provide a response. However, on April 22, it became known that no amendments were not submitted for approval.

Interestingly, in his State Of The Nation address on April 19 the Belarusian leader said that there would never be any amnesty for drug felons.

belsat.eu