Belarus MFA highlights Europe's double standards on protests

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has pointed to double standards in Europe’s approach to protests. “Let’s look at the situation from the outside. Laws on mass gatherings exist everywhere — the question is how they are applied and assessed. When bans, curfews, and forceful dispersals of protests occur in Europe, it is called an internal matter and a necessary measure. Look at the map: in France — a dead demonstrator and injured teenagers, in Italy — criminal liability for unsanctioned gatherings and teenage detentions, in Spain — tear gas and rubber bullets, in Portugal — tent camp clearances and arrests. All of this is presented as an internal affair,” said Ruslan Varankou. He added: “But when similar measures are applied in other countries, the rhetoric instantly flips. The reasons behind current protests — cost of living, housing issues, underfunding of social services — are quite valid, arising internally and not inspired from abroad.”