Political regime in Belarus is most repressive in Europe

The visit of Souhayr Belhassen, President of the International Federation for Human Rights is over. She has been in Belarus since 28 October and had meetings with the relatives of the political prisoners, representatives of political parties and public organizations in Minsk and Hrodna. The representatives of four ministries – justice, information, internal and foreign affairs, didn’t want to meet with the President of the International Federation for Human Rights.

“I have seen myself that accusation against Dashkevich and Finkevich are ridiculous”, - Souhayr Belhassen said today. According to the human rights activist, all European representatives ought to ask that they should be present on the trial over Zmiter Dashkevich, otherwise the trial will be closed.

The federation will also support the examination of a complaint concerning Aliaksandr Kazulin at UNO Human Rights Commission, Radio Svaboda reports.

“There are four prisoners of conscience in European country, it is absolutely scandalous fact. The European community should be mobilized in order the prisoners of conscience to be released”, - the human rights activist said.

After she returns to France, Ms. Belhassen is going to create an international committee in support of Andrei Klimau. She will offer the famous public figures to become its members.

“Klimau was sent to the colony 328 km away from Minsk, and it is an outrage. He and the others won’t be amnestied. You begin to ask yourself: why then the amnesty has been organized? Klimau is suffering from heart troubles because of improper treatment.

And we think the officials are responsible for his psychological and physical state. He wrote he was afraid to survive because he would see even more awful hell, - it means he is kept in unbearable conditions”, - Belhassen thinks.

“Being the President of the International Federation for Human Rights I want to say how this visit was important for me - as a symbol. I wanted to come to this European country where the political regime is the most repressive in Europe. To demonstrate our support to the human rights activists and oppositional political parties”, - the President of IFHR said.

She added: “I came here after the trial over the case of “Viasna” denial in registration. Unfortunately, the situation with the human rights center “Viasna” is not original. Many organizations are in the same situation and have to work on illegal conditions. They are constantly facing repressions”.

Ms. Belhassen also had good impressions of her visit:

“In spite of repressions, there are young people, political parties and non-governmental organizations who are mobilizing and try to resist repressions. Their motto today is resistance.

I have met with the young people who are working actively to lead this country to democracy. I want to admit their courage”.