European lawyers show support for Belarusian colleagues

The European Criminal Bar Association applied to Belarusian Minister of Justice Viktar Halavanau.

The lawyers’ appeal is connected with the facts of prosecution of a number of Belarusian lawyers for their involvement in defence of the suspects and the accused in the criminal case on mass riot.

“We are deeply concerned about attempts to prevent lawyers in Belarus from carrying out their professional duties and that the individuals arrested after the 19 December protest, including four former presidential candidates, have been unable to access their legal counsels. We request that your Ministry confirms to us in writing that it will cease taking such actions against the legal profession in Belarus and will ensure that the individuals arrested are permitted access to their lawyers,” the statement says, Viasna Human Rights Centre reports.