PACE condemns political repressions in Belarus

“Given the ongoing persecution and political processes against civil society and political opponents, as well as continuing restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, the human rights situation in Belarus is deteriorating and remains a serious concern.”

Such a statement has been made by Sinikka Hurskaynen, Special Rapporteur on Belarus of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Radio Svaboda informs.

At the session of the PACE Political Affairs Committee Sinikka Hurskaynen has made a report on the recent politically motivated trials and repressions against human rights activists and non-state media in Belarus. “With such harsh prison sentences, threats to shut down independent newspapers and the prosecution of human rights organisations, the Belarusian authorities persistently fail to respect Council of Europe standards of democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” she declared.

The Political Affairs Committee strongly condemned the ongoing prosecution of political opponents by the Belarusian authorities and called for the release of all political prisoners. During PACE Summer session (20-24 June 2011), the committee is to hold an exchange of views on the situation in Belarus with representatives of civil society and democratic opposition, paying special attention to the politically motivated trials and the parliamentary elections in 2012 in this country.

The Political Affairs Committee, taking into account “the present deplorable situation” of non-registered organisations in Belarus, decided to request the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) to provide an assessment of the compatibility with universal human rights standards of Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code vis-à-vis the rights of non-registered associations in Belarus.