Latvia points to reinforcing of political repressions in Belarus :: Charter'97 :: News

The Latvian association “Open Belarus” and the Latvian Transatlantic Organization (LATO) called the Latvian politicians, functionaries and the Mass Media to pay heed to Belarus where the repressions against opposition activists have been reinforced recently. An open letter was distributed among Latvian non-governmental organizations. The letter contains the information about the recent events of the Belarusian political life: huge number of political prisoners, repressions against the independent newspaper Narodnaya Volia and expulsion of the youth organizations activists from the educational establishments. Here is the text of the open letter.

“Within the last month the State structures of Belarus have reinforced the repressions against the opposition, which is the evidence of the regime’s intention to strengthen its positions before the President election of 2006. In Belarus, judicial proceedings against representatives of the democratic forces are held practically daily. Thus, leader of the Belarusian Social-Democratic Party (Narodnaya Gramada) and coordinator of the European Coalition Mikola Statkevich and one of the “Malady Front” leaders Paval Seviarynets were sentenced to three-year restriction of liberty on May 31. On June 10, Deputy of the 13th convocation, entrepreneur Andrei Klimau was sentenced to the one-year and a half imprisonment. Another oppositionist, former Deputy Siargey Skrabets and human rights activist Harry Pahanyaila are also expecting the trial.

Court actions are still undertaken against the family of former Minister and Diplomat Mikhail Marynich. After the sentence pronounced in December 2004, the property of the Marynichs’ was sequestrated.

Similar repressions and endless court sessions are targeted against the Mass Media that deal with independent information. On June 14, the most popular independent newspaper Narodnaya Volia was sentenced to the fine of $ 45 thousand. Lukashenka has issued a decree prohibiting the usage of the words “Belarusian” and “national” in the names of the private Mass Media and organizations.

The repressions concern the youth as well. The young people who express their discontent with Lukashenka’s regime are expelled not only from higher, but also from secondary educational establishments.
In order to preserve their minimal rights, the representatives of the Belarusian opposition and the youth take extreme measures and go hunger striking. Thus, opposition activist Siargey Skrabets has been hunger striking in the Brest investigative isolation ward for 32 days already.”