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Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic on reprisals against A. Milinkevich and other Belarusian opposition representatives

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic received with great concern and disagreement the report on yesterday’s sentences of four leaders of Belarusian democratic forces Alexander Milinkevich, Vintsuk Vyachorka, Sergei Kalyakin and Alexandr Bukhvostov.(28/04/2006)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic received with great concern and disagreement the report on yesterday's sentences of four leaders of Belarusian democratic forces Alexander Milinkevich, Vintsuk Vyachorka, Sergei Kalyakin and Alexandr Bukhvostov. Paradoxically, these opponents of the present political leadership of the country received administrative sentences for participation in an officially permitted rally taking place on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, whose scope and consequences left its mark on the whole world for decades.

Taking into account the current undemocratic style of rule in Belarus, this attack against democratic freedoms was actually no surprise. It only confirmed that though the Belarusian leadership keeps referring to valid laws, the true reason are political motives having nothing to do with the rule of law.

It proves true that the official Minsk continues to ignore the positions of international organizations and to grossly violate the legitimate rights of its own citizens and, by its uncivilized policy, leads the country down a blind alley and to international isolation. It gives rise to the feelings of tension and fear among its own citizens. Its arrogant trampling underfoot of international standards may eventually lead to the further tightening of sanctions imposed by the international community against Belarus' political leadership.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic follows with attention the situation in the country and calls for the immediate release of all these sentenced and of the dozens of other prisoners of conscience serving their sentences all over Belarus. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic highly appreciates their civic bravery and believes that their engagement will contribute in the future to the assertion of democratic rights and freedoms by all people in Belarus.

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