UN, Other International Organizations Urged to Demand End to Political Persecution in Belarus

A group of opposition politicians have called on the United Nations and some other international organizations to demand that the Belarusian authorities end the politically motivated persecution of opponents.

The letter has been sent to the UN secretary general, the UN high commissioner for human rights, the UN Human Rights Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as international human rights organizations.

“In connection with continuing persecution we urge the international community to display true solidarity: demand that the Belarusian authorities and courts under their control stop raising the number of political prisoners,” the petition says. “We also call on you to demand that the Belarusian authorities release the main Belarusian political prisoner – former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin.”

The politicians refer to a criminal case against a dozen people in connection with a January peaceful demonstration staged by sole entrepreneurs and sympathizers that a Minsk court started hearing on April 16 and a $820 fine imposed on opposition youth Katsyaryna Salawyova earlier this month for acting on behalf of an unregistered organization.

“All the mentioned trials have obvious political motives, involve violations of both national and international laws and are aimed exclusively at punishing pro-democracy activists for opposing authorities in Belarus,” the petition reads.

The petition has been signed by human rights activist Katsyaryna Sadowskaya, entrepreneur Mikalay Awtukhovich, politicians Dzmitry Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Pavel Sevyarynets, Syarhey Skrabets, Mikalay Statkevich, Ihar Rynkevich, Mikalay Astreyka, Tsimafey Dranchuk, Ivan Kruk, Yury Lyavonaw and Uladzimir Kishkurna. //BelaPAN