Another formal reply to petition for Byalyatski's release

The Administration of Lukashenka writes that “any interference with activity of judges is unacceptable and punishable under the law”.

Stanislau Buko, the head of the main department for public appeals, explains to representatives of NGOs that “in compliance with the Constitution, the judicial power in the Republic of Belarus is exercised by courts.  In administering justice judges shall be independent and obey only the law. Other governmental bodies and officials not not have that power.”

Commenting on the formal reply from a representative of Lukashenka's Administration, Viasna deputy head Valyantin Stefanovich reminds that the Belarusian legislation has other legal tools allowing to release political prisoners. “We have seen this several times –  in 2008 and 2011, when Lukashenka issued orders to free political prisoners,” the human rights activist says. “In our petition, we demanded to release Ales Byalyatski and other political prisoner as well as to stop pressing on human rights groups and NGOs. It doesn't matter what legal tools will be used formally.”

We remind that representatives of Belarusian NGOs, public figures and human rights activists handed over  a petition to Lukashenka's Administration urging the authorities to release Viasna head Ales Byalyatski and other political prisoners immediately and unconditionally and stop harassing human rights groups and NGOs ahead of the International Day of Solidarity with Belarusian Civil Society and Human Rights Movement, which was first marked on August 4.