Department of Corrections banned lawyer Sapelka from visiting prisons

The answer of the Corrections Department surprises by absence of any motivation in denying this right.

Pavel Sapelka, a lawyer, has received an answer from the Corrections Department of the Interior Affairs Ministry to his appeal, in which he had asked permission for visiting places of detention with the aim of monitoring. Such a right is established by Article 22 of the Correctional Code of Belarus: “Representatives of mass media and other persons have a right to visit penal institutions on permission of administration of these institutions or respective higher authorities of penal institutions,” Viasna human rights centre informs.

The answer of the Corrections Department S. Daroshka, received by the lawyer on July 29, is surprising, as there is no motivation in denying this right to the lawyer.

“This is to inform you that your e-mail appeal, sent to the official website of the Interior Affairs Ministry, has been considered at the Corrections Department of the Interior Affairs Ministry of Belarus.

Visits to specialized institutions of the Interior Affairs agencies at the moment are inadvisable.

In case you disagree with this answer, you have a right to challenge it according to the procedure under Article 20 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus as of 18.07.2011 №300-3 “On handling appeals of citizens and legal entities”.

Commenting on this formal reply, Pavel Sapelka notes:

“The reasons, for which I have been denied a right to visit penal institutions, are obviously contained in the appeal itself. The answer of the Corrections Department is not motivated, and I am going to challenge it at the Interior Affairs Ministry immediately.”