Council Of Europe Regrets Regime In Belarus

In the Declaration adopted on May 11, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe expressed regret in connection with another death penalty executed in Belarus.

It was reported to BelaPAN by the press service of the Council of Europe.

“The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, as well as the Secretary General, deplores the execution of Siarhei Ivanou in Belarus on May 7, – the document says. – It reminds that the death penalty violates the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and European Convention on Human Rights and once again calls on the Belarusian authorities to impose a moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards its abolition.”

Earlier, similar statements were made by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the European Union, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

Let us remind, that on May 6, it became known that Siarhei Ivanou (murder of a person committed with particular cruelty) was executed in Belarus as well as that the Supreme Court had decided to keep in force the death sentence of Siarhei Khmialeuski (murder of three persons).

Belarus is the last country in Europe and the Former Soviet Union to still carry out executions. More than 400 people have been sentenced to the death penalty since the country gained independence; Aliaksandr Lukashenka pardoned only one of the convicts.

According to the data provided by the human rights defenders, Ivan Kulesh (murder of three persons committed with particular cruelty) and Henadz Yakavitski (murder of one person committed with particular cruelty) are also awaiting the execution. Their sentences of capital punishment has come into force.