Human rights demand immediate release of Artsyom Dubski

Viasna Human Rights Center issued a special statement on arrest of the youth activist.

“On July 7, 2009, the court of the Asipovichy district sentenced youth activist Artsyom Dubski to a year of imprisonment in a minimum security penal colony. After the judgement was read out, Artsyom was taken into custody and guarded to a detention facility,” the statement of human rights activist says. In accordance with the judgement, Artsyom Dubski was accused of violation article 415 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (evasion of serving punishment of restriction of liberty). It should be reminded that on Paril 23m 2008, Artsyom Dubski together with 14 young people were brought to criminal responsibility under article 342 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (organizing or active participation in group actions violating the public order) for participation in a protest rally of entrepreneurs held in Minsk on January 1, 2008.”

Belarusian human rights activists say the case against Artsyom Dubski is politically motivated.

“Viasna Human Rights Centre regarded this criminal case against participants of the peaceful protest rally on January 1, 2008, as politically motivated from the very beginning, as Artsyom Dubski and other accused used their right to peaceful assembly and expression , guaranteed by the Constitution of the country,” the human rights defenders state. “Influential Amnesty International recognized Artsyom Dubski and other 11 persons serving punishment of restraint of liberty in this criminal case the prisoners of conscience – the persons who suffered for expressing their views.

The Belarusian public and international community demanded the Belarusian authorities to free all convicted in the Case of 14 from punishment and rehabilitate them. The similar demand was expressed in the last PACE’s resolution on Belarus. In spite of these demands the Belarusian authorities ignored blatantly the calls and sentenced Artsyom Dubski to a year of imprisonment.”

Belarusian human rights activists express their protest against the politically motivated verdict.

“In this respect Viasna Human Rights Centre expressed its strong protest and demands to release prisoner of conscience Artsyom Dubski immediately,” the statement says. “Viasna Human Rights Centre also insistently calls on the Belarusian authorities to stop political repressions against citizens of the country on political motives, including freeing from punishment and amnesty of all participants of the Case of 14 who are serving punishment now.”

Viasna Human Rights Centre says it will work diligently to release Artsyom Dubski as soon as possible.