Since December 19, 2010 Belarus have seen the continued detention, maltreatment and impending prosecution of a number of writers and journalists, including members of the Belarus PEN Centre.
In response to this situation, PEN members urge to continue to send appeals to Belarusian authorities and messages of support to those arrested.
Courage punished
The letter expresses concern about the arrests, beatings, and ongoing detention of the PEN colleagues in Belarus.
“Writers and journalists, whose details are provided below, have had the courage to speak out for democracy and have been arrested in violation of their rights to free expression an
d peaceful assembly,” says the letter.
PEN’s representatives expressed their deep concern about the arrest and detention of Vladimir Neklyaev (right), former president of Belarus PEN, and other writers, journalists and human rights defenders. According to them, the Belarus PEN Centre’s office in Minsk was raided during which computers and papers were seized.
They urge in the letter President Lukashenko immediately to order the release of Mr. Neklyaev and all others arrested in violation of their right to free expression and peaceful assembly, and ensure that those who have suffered beatings be given necessary medical treatment.
“We strongly urge for the dismissal of politically-motivated criminal cases, and for a full and proper investigation into reports of ill-treatment.”
J.R.Saul, H.Takeaki and M.B.Fraser say what they ask is not unusual, nor is it particular to any civilization.
“These are the standards accepted by your neighbours; normal international standards by which Belarus will be judged today and in the future. The wellbeing of every nation-state, its social and economic wellbeing, is dependent on the respect in which its government is held by its own citizens and their neighbours.” the letter sa
ys.
Prosecution
PEN has received reports of arrests, detention and ill-treatment of writers and journalists as of 6 January, 2011.
• Vladimir Neklyaev, writer, poet, former president of the Belarus PEN Centre and the Tell the Truth party’s candidate in the presidential elections.
• Pavel Severinets, opposition activist, author of several books, and a member of Belarus PEN which recently awarded him their book of the year prize.
• Aleksandr Fiaduta, author, literary critic and member of Belarus PEN.
• Natalia Radzina (above), arrested alongside all the staff and volunteers of Charter 97, non-partisan citizens’ organization, which also maintains a website of news with a focus on human rights developments.
• Dimitri Bondarenko, also of Charter 97.
• Irina Khalip (below), journalist for the Russian Novaya Gazeta and wife of opposition candidate Andrei Sannikov (also detained).
Find out more information about the arrested Belarusian writers and journalists here.
Afraid of Neklyaev’s life
Neklyaev was severely beaten by police on his way to an election-day protest on 19 December 2010. The beating left him hospitalized and unable to speak before unidentified men dragged him from his hospital bed and put him in prison.
His daughter, Eva Nyaklyaeva (below), 30, told on 10 January to Radio Free Europe (RFA) that her father nearly died in prison after losing consciousness due to low blood pressure, and that his condition is still critical.
“We are all the time trying to get him hospitalized because we are really afraid for his life,” Nyaklyaeva said. “Now we are afraid not only for his freedom, but also for his life.”
Nyaklyaeva, a Finland-based arts manager who has never before taken up political or rights issues in her country of birth, told RFE she will to everything so as to release her father.
“I don’t want to be diplomatic anymore,” Nyaklyaeva said. “I am sick and tired, with all respect, of the analysts who say that in this situation it is very difficult for Europe or for t
he West to take serious steps because of the economic situation. To hell with realpolitik. These are human lives now on the line.”
Homes of PEN members raided
According to reports, Belarus State Security Agency (KGB) officers entered the Belarus PEN offices in Minsk on 28 December, seizing computers, CDs and flash drives.
The home of Belarus PEN Vice President, Andrej Skurko, was also raided, as was that of another PEN member, Mikhas Bashura, a poet and publisher. Skurko is also editor in chief of the independent newspaper, Nasha Niva. Belarus websites report that the homes of a number of other civil and political rights activists have been raided in recent days.
Documents:
Analytical Note on Detentions in Belarus. Prepared by Belarusian and Russian HR defenders from the International Mission for Human Rights Situation Control in Belarus
HRHN letter of concern about post-election events (English)
The letter signed by over 50 partners of the Human Rights House Network
Joint open letter by European NGOs on election aftermath in Belarus
Open letter by 9 European civil and human rights organisations to the Belarusian authorities and to the Governments of all EU member states
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Detentions in Belarus: inhuman and degrading treatment
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Election aftermath in Belarus: 600 arrested, hundreds injured
