Situation in Belarus Discussed in US Congress

The head of the US Helsinki Commission, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings has condemned the situation in Belarus in his speech in the House of Representatives on January 15.

The politician informed about human rights violations in Belarus, arrests of oppositional leaders, disbanding of peaceful demonstrations and blocking of independent internet resources, Radio Svaboda and the Charter’97. “Last month, I chaired a Helsinki Commission briefing with a delegation of leading political opposition figures and democratic activists from Belarus. Unfortunately, developments since the delegation's visit to Washington have been deeply discouraging and do not bode well for Belarus' democratic future.

It is my strong hope that Mr. Lukashenka will cease the self-imposed isolation of his country,” Alcee L. Hastings said.The head of the US Helsinki Commission reminded that the young leader Zmitser Fedaruk was beaten and knocked unconscious by riot policemen during the rally “For independent Belarus!”, then rushed by ambulance to the hospital. Just last week, the Minsk district prosecutor's office in Minsk refused to open an investigation into Zmitser’s beating.

On January 4, the Lukashenka regime banned Anatoly from travelling abroad in what was obviously a politically-motivated decision. Today, Anatoly is in jail serving a 15-day sentence, along with several dozen other pro-democracy and small business advocates who participated in a January 10 protest against restrictions on activities of small businesses. Some of the activists--mostly young people--received injuries during their arrest. Tatyana Tsishkevch, who was severely beaten during her arrest and presented her bloodstained jacket in court, received a 20-day sentence. Arsien Pakhomau, a freelance photo correspondent for “Nasha Niva” weekly--one of the very few remaining independent publications in Belarus--was also sentenced to 15 days’ administrative arrest.

The head of the US Helsinki Commission noted that n January 10, during the protest rally of small businessmen, a number of websites that cover social and economic affairs in Belarus, such as Charter’97 and Radio Liberty, were partially or fully blocked by the authorities.

A stressed by Alcee L. Hastings, “these most recent repressive actions follow the sentencing of opposition activist Artur Finkevich to 18 months in prison; the arbitrary use of judicial power to put out of business independent newspapers such as “Novi Chas”'; steps to liquidate the opposition Belarusian Communist Party; and the fining of Baptist pastor Yuri Kravchuk for unregistered religious activity. Belarus is the only country in Europe with compulsory registration before religious activity can take place”.

“Unfortunately, the indications in just the first few weeks of this New Year are not encouraging. Lukashenka's presidential administration has recently rejected the opposition's proposal to hold talks on the upcoming 2008 parliamentary elections, refusing an offer by the Belarusian opposition to consider joint proposals on conducting parliamentary elections in accordance with democratic standards,” he said.

“It is my strong hope that Mr. Lukashenka will cease the self-imposed isolation of his country--threatening, most recently, to expel U.S. Ambassador Karen Stewart--and will give serious thought to the offers of cooperation that have come from the United States and the European Union if Belarus releases political prisoners and displays respect for basic democratic norms,” the Chairman of the US Helsinki Commission underlined.