Belarus IT workers take to Minsk streets to protest against disputed election

In Belarus, scores of IT workers took to streets of capital Minsk on Friday, September 4 to join ongoing mass protest against disputed reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko.

According to reports, main opposition challenger in vote Sviatlana Tsikhauskaya has called upon United Nations for help in wake of growing protests.  protesting IT workers on Friday formed “chains of solidarity” in different parts of city demanding Lukashenko's resignation who is accused of trying to extend his 26-year rule in Belarus with a rigged election.

A human chain was also formed outside High Techlogy Park a day after government authorities raided one of companies and detained several workers which include company's top manr accusing m of financial abuses.  park is reported to house 750 IT companies that employ 58,000 people and currently account for more than 6% of nation's GDP. 

Earlier, dozens of top IT entrepreneurs in an open letter warned authorities that repression against dissent would trigger massive brain drain.

RE: Belarus Leer Reshuffles Lieutenants To Tighten Control

Belarus opposition seeks UN help

Belarus has witnessed mass protests for nearly four weeks ago.  protestors are opposing  official election results which gave Belarusian leer a sixth term with 80% of vote share. 

While dressing a meeting of UNSC via video link, Belarus' main opposition challenger Tsikhauskaya urged global ncy to “stop blatant human rights violations and cynical disregard for human dignity right in middle of Europe.”

She accused Lukashenko of playing dirty politics and stealing election and asked UN to condemn crackdown on protesters.  Belarusian leer also asked UN to send a monitoring mission to Belarus and call a special session of its Human Rights Council to discuss situation in country. 

RE: Anti-Lukashendo Protests Continue In Belarus

Sviatlana Tsikhauskaya said, "I call on international community to use all mechanisms to stop violence, including sanctions on individuals that committed electoral violations and crimes against humanity”. 

Tikhavskaya fled country for Lithuania on August 11, fearing that she and her family could be harmed. 37-year-old leer has been issuing video statements from Lithuania, demanding Belarusian authorities to accept ir wrongdoings and to join hands with opposition in order to eve punishment in future.

Protestors are demanding a free and fair election and an end of state-sponsored violence. People in large numbers have taken to streets to protest against outcome of recently concluded election, following which Lukashenko ordered a crackdown on demonstrators. One protestor reportedly died in clashes between police and protesters, while over 7,000 have been arrested so far. 

(With AP Inputs)

RE: Belarusian Journalists Face Charges For Covering Protests

RE: Belarus Opposition Challenger To dress UN Security Council