Human Rights House in Moscow has sent a statement concerning brutal police actions and arrests during a peaceful demonstration on 25 of May, 2008 devoted to 90th anniversary of  Belorussian Democratic Republic. Human Rights House in Moscow sent the official appeal to Belarusian authorities condemning such “policy” of saving a public order. The appeal was directed to the President of Belarus, the General Prosecutor and the Minister of Internal Affairs. To read the statement in Russian, click here. (29-MARCH-08)

Written by Inna Komar/HRH Moscow

Official Appeal
The Human Rights House in Moscow (the Russian Research Centre for Human Rights) expresses its concern about brutal dispersal of peaceful demonstration in Minsk on 25 March, 2008. The demonstration was devoted to celebration of the Independence Day of Belarusian Republic. According to the information that we have, as a result got bodily injuries of different types and more than 100 people were detained, among them there were citizens of Poland and Ukraine and also correspondents from Lithuania.

Especially we condemn arrests of the journalists, who were covering the event, i.e. discharged their professional duty, ongoing harassments of independent Media representatives and individual journalists. We are very sorry that Belarusian authorities don`t respect the rights of journalists and admit what a significant part they play in any democratic society`s live. We criticize the policy of the journalists` unreasonable custody.

We are also concerned about the fact that on 27 March  in Belarus started countrywide searches in independent Media offices and individual journalists` apartments. In the search warrants, which the KGB representatives showed, was said that the searches were conducted on the ground of violation of Article 367 of Belarus´ Criminal Code (“Libel in Relation to the President of Belarus”). Such actions is a clear evidence of the fact that Belarusian authorities don`t recognize independent Media and civil society`s existence. It`s also a serious violation of article 19 of the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Human Rights House in Moscow is all for the Belarusian journalists in their attempts to defend their right to freedom of expression.

In view of aforesaid we, as our colleagues from The Human Rights House Foundation, the Rafto Foundation, Norwegian PEN, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and The Norwegian Union of Journalist, call Belarusian authorities to:
~ to stop the current harassment of Belarusian media outlets and journalists;
~ to immediately release all citizens arrested during the peaceful demonstration;
~ to start an independent investigation of the human rights violations and abuses of the police related to the Independence Day 25 of March 2008.

 Chairwoman of the Board, Valentina Melnikova

 

Read statement in Russian