FIDH: Dashkevich's release is not sign of improving situation

Dashkevich's release is not sign of improving situation in Belarus, says international rights organization.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) warned in its August 30 statement that the release of opposition activist Zmitser Dashkevich could not be regarded as a sign of an improving human rights situation in Belarus. 

"The international community must not be misled. The release of Zmitser Dashkevich does not reflect any improvement of the human rights situation in the country," said FIDH President Karim Lahidji. 

According to the FIDH president, 11 political prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus. "Human rights defenders, journalists, and activists are continuously harassed by the regime. In this context, the recent EU suspension of the visa ban on the Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei [Uladzimir Makey] can just find no justification," he stressed. 

The FIDH called on the Belarusian authorities to restore Mr. Dashkevich's civil and political rights and release all of the remaining political prisoners. 

"We further call on the EU to take such decisions of Aleksander Lukashenko [Alyaksandr Lukashenka] for what they actually are and not to be further deceived by the siren song of the regime," warned the FIDH president.