German MPs demand release of Ales Bialiatski

Marieluise Beck, Member of the German Bundestag, and Katrin Göring-Eckardt, Vice-President of the German Bundestag, made the statement.

“Ales Bialiatski and all other political prisoners in Belarus have to be released and rehabilitated immediately! Just because of the intention of dictator Lukashenka, Bialiatski has been imprisoned for one year now. The detention of the leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights was based on shady accusations, followed by a propaganda trial in disregard with the rule of law. The Lukashenka regime systematically tries to destroy the engagement for democracy and human rights in Belarus in this deceitful ways.

Facing the unbearable situation in Belarus and the ongoing repression against the opposition, we consider it a good signal to award Ales Bialiatski with the Heinrich-Boell-Foundation’s Petra-Kelly-Prize this year. Unfortunately there’s just little hope he will be able to personally receive this prize on November 22nd  2012 in Berlin.

The brutal actions of dictator Lukashenko must not be rewarded. No scene for any grand appearance should be given to Europe’s last dictator. Therefor, the International Ice Hockey Federation would be well advised to remove the 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus.”

Katrin Göring-Eckardt has joined Libereco - Partnership for Human Rights’ Prisoner’s Godparenthood Campaign and taken on a prisoner’s godparenthood for Ales Bialiatski.