International Federation for Human Rights condemns arrest of Artsyom Dubski

European human rights activist called on the Belarusian authorities to stop persecution of youth activists.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) issued a statement condemning the sentence of Artsyom Dubski, a participant of the Process of 14, spring96.org reports.

“FIDH is extremely concerned by the recent condemnation of Mr. Artsyom Dubski, an activist of the “Young Front” organisation, to one year imprisonment,” the statement says. “On Tuesday July 7, 2009, according to the information provided by the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, the Asipovichy District court has found Mr. Dubski guilty of violating the conditions of his sentence under article 415 of the Criminal Code.

On January 10, 2008, Mr. Dubski took part to a peaceful protest rally of entrepreneurs in Minsk. He was consequently arrested and charged under article 342 of the Criminal Code (« organisation or participation in a group action which grossly violates public order ») together with other participants, whose case gained notoriety as “the case of 14”. Eleven of them, including Mr. Dubski, were given sentences of restriction of freedom but they were not directed to penitentiary institutions.

Mr. Dubski travelled to Ukraine and was arrested in the train in Homel on February 3, 2009, while travelling back from Ukraine to Belarus. He was accused of violating the conditions of his sentence.”

The European human rights defenders called on the Belarusian authorities to follow the PACE resolution and stop persecution of youth activists.

“FIDH condemns the criminalisation by the Belarus authorities of the right to peaceful assembly, and calls upon the Belarus authorities to follow the Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and « immediately and unconditionally lift the restrictions imposed on 11 people sentenced to terms of restricted freedom for their participation in a peaceful demonstration in January 2008 » (Resolution 1671 (2009) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,” the human rights activists say. “FIDH also reiterates its call to the Belarus authorities to put an immediate end to all forms of harassment of activists from youth organisations.”