The letter expresses concern about the mass arrests of peaceful protesters, journalists and human rights defenders and states that the brutal actions of the authorities against the demonstrators violate human rights.

“Harsh treatment of peaceful protesters and dispersal of demonstrations are clear violations of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. These rights are guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Articles 19 and 21 respectively, to which Belarus is a party. We point out that under international legal standards, no restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and that are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.”- the letter stated.

The authors of the letter addressed the Belarusian authorities and urged them to:

  • Immediately release all detained peaceful protesters, exercising their lawful right to freedom of expression and of assembly;

  • Immediately discontinue the use of administrative charges against or illegitimate pretrial detention of peaceful demonstrators, human rights defenders and journalists;

  • Ensure and respect the right to freedom of expression and of assembly to all Belarusian citizens, including human rights defenders, civic activists and the political opposition;

  • Ensure that journalists are able fully to exercise their professional duties, including during peaceful demonstrations;

  • Ensure compliance with the recently adopted UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Belarus of 15 June 2011, which calls on the Belarusian government to stop harassment of civil society and ensure the right to freedom of assembly.

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In the past two months, civic activists have been organizing silent protests across Belarus. Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered on the streets across the country in order to protest peacefully against the deteriorating political and economic situation in Belarus. Since 15 June 2011, at least 1730 people have been arrested during the peaceful demonstrations in the country.

Most of the arrested were punished with a fine or detention. Some of them were released from the stations after the police took their fingerprints and issued warnings. Many of the protesters were beaten up. Plain-cloth men have also interfered into the work of journalists. The alleged police has confiscated tapes, erased the photographs, detained and beat some of the correspondents.

The letter called upon the Belarusian authorities to immediately stop the persecution of those who exercise their right to freedom of expression and assembly, release the demonstrators from jail and stop preventive detentions of journalists, human rights defenders, civil and political activists.

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