Lukashenko was demanded to release of Bialiatski immediately

Civil Rights Defenders protests against the treatment of Ales Bialiatski in prison.

Ales Bialiatski has received reprimands in prison as well as being subjected to restrictive measures. Civil Rights Defenders is deeply concerned for Ales Bialiatski’s situation and urges the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenka to immediately and unconditionally release the Belarusian human rights defender, in an open letter sent on Thursday.

'I am writing to you on behalf of Civil Rights Defenders in order to protest against the treatment of the imprisoned human rights defenders Ales Bialiatski.

We have received information that Ales Bialiatski, Head of Human Rights Center Viasna, has received reprimands in prison as well as extra duty. Furthermore, he is also subject to restrictions concerning meeting times, prison wage and food packages. Civil Rights Defenders is seriously concerned about this information on increased pressure on part of the prison administration against Ales Bialiatski.

We see the criminal case against, and imprisonment of, Ales Bialiatski as a direct result of his legitimate activities in defence of human rights in Belarus and as yet another example of the harassment of human rights defenders in Belarus.

We urge you to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Ales Bialiatski. We furthermore urge you to ensure that Belarusian authorities end any kind of harassment of Ales Bialiatski as well as withdraw the restrictive measures against him,' - said in the letter.