Viasna Human Rights Centre: Facts described by Mikhalevich are tortures

Ales Byalyatski, the head of Viasna Human Rights Centre, has an unambiguous position: he has considered and considers now that the facts described by the KGB prisoner are tortures and cruel and inhumane treatment.

Valyantsin Stefanovich, Viasna deputy head, said in relation to a position of Viasna on the information about tortures in the detention facilities of the KGB and Interior Ministry, which was spread by Ales Mikhalevich at a press conference:

“Viasna Human Rights Centre has definitely considered and considers now that the described facts are tortures and cruel and inhumane treatment. Just after the press conference held by Mikhalevich, a letter on behalf of the chairman of Viasna Human Rights Centre, Ales Byalyatski, was sent to Belarusian Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich. The letter demanded prosecutors to verify the described facts and bring the people guilty to criminal responsibility. We also informed other international organizations, including the UN Committee against Torture, FIDH, OMCT. I think that the interpretation of Byalyatski’s remark made at a press conference in Moscow offered in the article “Price of the word” by Mikalai Khalezin is a misunderstanding and represents neither the position of the organization nor a personal opinion of Ales Byalyatski.