17 persons to be recognized as political prisoners
10- 26.01.2012, 12:54
The first meeting of the coordinating group “For Freedom” aimed at release of Belarusian political prisoners was held in Minsk on January 25.
As informed by the press-service of the Belarusian Christian democracy party, 25 persons have taken part in the session, including relatives of the political prisoners, human rights activists and public leaders. Paval Sevyarynets, a political prisoner, has taken part in the discussion virtually.
Participants of the meeting have adopted an address to Belarusian politicians and human rights activists, inviting them to join the work of “For Freedom” group.
The authors of the address propose recognize 17 persons as political prisoners:
1. Andrei Sannikov
2. Mikola Statkevich
3. Zmitser Bandarenka
4. Paval Sevyarynets
5. Zmitser Dashkevich
6. Eduard Lobau
7. Mikola Autukhovich
8. Ales Byalyatski
9. Ihar Alinevich
10. Alyaksandr Franskevich
11. Mikalai Dzyadok
12. Yauhen Vaskovich
13. Paval Syramalotau
14. Artsyom Prakapenka
15. Syarhei Kavalenka
16. Alyaksandr Kruty
17. Alyaksandr Mauchanau
The members of the coordinating group ask human rights activists “to work out criteria of the definition of “a political prisoner” in Belarus considering today’s situation like it had been done by Russian human rights activists, and to bring them to the notice of the public.” The leaders of the parties had been addressed with a request to give “a substantiated answer on the list of political prisoners within a week.”
Besides, collection of signatures under the address to the International Ice Hockey Federation “Say “No” to 2014 World Championship in Belarus unless political prisoners are released” was announced at the meeting. One can undersign the address in the headquarters of the Belarusian Popular Front.
The next session of the coordinating group “For Freedom” is planned for February 1 at 4 p.m. Anyone can join the session.