Sigmar Gabriel: Statkevich and other political prisoners must not be forgotten

In connection with the anniversary of pronouncing a sentence upon the Belarusian presidential candidate, Mikalai Statkevich, the leader of the Social Democratic party of Germany (SPD) Sigmar Gabriel states:

- A year ago Mikalai Statkevich, a presidential candidate in Belarus, nominated by the Social Democratic Party, together with other oppositionists, was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment for his commitment to democracy and human rights. In prison the political prisoners are undergoing threats and violence. Their families are suffering from persecution and reprisal by the state.

Today together with Katsyaryna Statkevich, I would like to remind about the political prisoners, and particularly her father Mikalai. This anniversary reminds all of us that there are activists and oppositional politicians, trade union activists and journalists, who are imprisoned for their views and courage. This date urges us not to ease up in our efforts in the struggle for freedom and human rights in Belarus.

We demand immediate release and rehabilitation of all political prisoners in Belarus and support demands expressed by www.lasst-sie-frei.de initiative.

Until the innocent people stay in prison, the European Union and Germany are to support sanctions and intensify them.

Mikalai Statkevich is the last presidential candidate who is still kept behind the bars. He refuses to sign a petition for pardon out of his conviction, as he would admit his guilt by that at the same time. The regime reacts with violence and intimidation, Statkevich was severely injured and traumatized in the colony, his bones fractured. Besides, the custodial control was tightened for three years, besides he was kept in a solitary confinement cell for a long time.

After the presidential election in Belarus on December 19, 2010 Mikalai Statkevich together with dozens thousands of people rallied in the streets, to attract attention to the hard situation in the country. Mikalai Statkevich and others exhibited great courage, which deserves our respect and solidarity.