Nine speakers told the audience about the human rights situation in Belarus at the moment. The most problematic issues were covered by BHC director Aleh Hulak, Tatsiana Raviaka of Human Rights Center “Viasna”, representatives of the International Observation Mission Olga Zakharova and Andrey Yurov, chairman of the “Center of Legal Transformation” Alena Tankachova, Deputy Chairman of BAJ
Andrei Bastunets, president of the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Yuri Jibladze, Michael Harris and the president of Freedom House David Kramer.
Each of the speakers had, according to the regulations, only 5 minutes to speak, so the statements were concise. The session was opened by Valiantsin Stefanovich, who expressed his gratitude for the support and attention from the international community on behalf of human rights activist Ales Bialiatski.
In her speech Tatsiana Raviaka (left) drew attention to the issue of persecution of lawyers and human rights defenders, including the prosecution of the head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski. Ravyaka broached the subject of torture and death penalty which is still exercised in Belarus.
The Deputy Chairman of BAJ Andrei Bastunets spoke about
issues of freedom of expression and noted the increase in pressure exerted on journalists. According to Bastunets, after 19 December, 114 pieces of professional equipment were seized during searches of the journalists, and 95 journalists were detained during the silent protests while performing their professional duties there.
Repres
entatives of the International Observation Mission Andrey Yurov and Olga Zakharova drew attention to the economic aspects of the existence of Lukashenka’s regime and expressed the need for systemic and consistent sanctions against Belarus. Moreover, Andrey Yurov spoke of the need to boycott major financial institutions and enterprises collaborating with the Belarusian regime.
The head of Freedom House David Kramer expressed his regret regarding Russia’s decision to support the regime of Lukashenka, since in his view, the sanctions – is the only way of cooperation, which Lukashenka is able to understand. However, the head of Freedom House admitted that by expanding economic sanctions against Belarus, ordinary citizens of the country could be affected.
At the end of the session a resolution was adopted. The most disputable point of the resolution was the issue of cooperation with the leaders of Belarus in the framework of OSCE. Nevertheless, participants agreed on all points of the resolution and managed to find a compromise on controversial issues.
The resolution marked the major human rights violations in Belarus and highlighted a number of possible measures that would influence the Belarusian leadership. “We believe it is necessary to present to the Belarusian authorities a package of system requirements in the field of human rights and the rule
of law, observance of which should be a prerequisite for the resumption of international dialogue and cooperation with the leadership of the Republic of Belarus, including economic cooperation,” – said in the resolution.
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