7th Congress of the UDF
At the Congress of the democratic forces of Belarus held in Minsk a strategy of the United Democratic Forces (UDF) was validated. 44 representatives of political parties and social movements were elected to the political Rada of the UDF. After the close of the Congress the first meeting of the Rada took place and its 4 co-chairpersons were confirmed.
At the Congress which was held on May, 26-27 “The Small Constitution” (a project of the constitutional law about public authorities and institutions of local government) and the economic platform of the UDF were adopted. 570 delegates took part in the voting.
Leaders of the parties were elected co-chairpersons of the UDF’s Rada: Anatol Labiedźka of the United Civil Party, Vincuk Viačorka of the BPF, Siarhiej Kalakin of the Belarusian Party of Communists, Anatol Laǔkovič of the Social-Democratic Party (Hramada). Alaksandar Milinkievič who had been elected head of the United Democratic Forces at the previous Congress in 2005 and who have recently become head of the social movement “For Freedom” resigned his post of co-chairperson of the Rada.
Before the Congress the authorities early released Kaciaryna Sadoǔskaja, Pavał Sieviaryniec, and Mikoła Statkievič who were considered by Belarusian and international democratic society as prisoners of conscience. The democratic forces continue to demand discharge of Alaksandar Kazulin and other prisoners whose sentences are acknowledged as politically reasoned.
