Latvian MFA condemns detention of Latvian journalist in Belarus

Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis strongly condemns the actions of Belarusian authorities when a Latvian journalist Uģis Lībietis was temporarily detained in Minsk.

The Foreign Ministry has condemned the incident and sent a diplomatic note to Belarus demanding an explanation.

”We demand that Belarusian authorities carry out a thorough investigation of the incident and do not permit any further constraints of this kind to journalists’ work,” the Foreign Minister emphasised. ”Cracking down on journalists accredited in Belarus, under circumstances when they are carrying out their professional duties, is unacceptable. The detention of several hundreds of people in a number of Belarusian cities during the silent protests of 29 June is proof to the fact that Belarusian authorities do not respect the peoples’ right to free assembly, which is one the basic values of democracy.”

”It is in Latvia’s interests to have stable and good relations with its neighbouring country, Belarus; however, such actions by Belarusian authorities do not promote understanding and good relations between both countries,” the Foreign Minister indicated. ”Latvia also finds unacceptable what has been going in Belarus since last December elections – court hearings against former presidential candidates and opposition activists, intimidation of civil society and independent media, disproportionate use of force during protest rallies.”

Already earlier, on 9 June, Foreign Minister Kristovskis sent a letter to the Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Martynov, calling for the release of political prisoners in the country and clearing them of all politically motivated charges.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia