Belarusian Embassy Picketed In London

The Amnesty International coordinators partook in the action.

On Monday, October 8, near the Belarusian Embassy in London, human rights defender of ''Viasna'' HRC Natallia Satsunkevich held a picket for the abolition of death penalty. The Amnesty International coordinators Barry Hay and Aysha Yung joined the action.

Natallia Satsunkevich explained the reasons behind her decision to hold this picket:

''Why have I come to the Belarusian Embassy in London? It's the stop the death penalty week going on at the moment, and I am strongly against such form of punishment. The inevitability and impossibility to undo any person's death scares me.

I am calling the entire world for solidarity and support. Although Belarus is the last country in Europe where death penalty is still implemented, it is important to remember that such form of punishment is not only about Belarus. Life and death, kindness and cruelty have no borders. The world around us is changing, and is rapidly giving up the idea of death penalty. So I look forward to the moment when death penalty is no longer implemented not only in Europe, but on the whole planet.''

Natallia added that, compared to Minsk where such picket could result in arrest or fine, in London it was enough to notify the police about the upcoming peaceful assembly by phone.