The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic expresses its serious concern about the continued flagrant violation of the legitimate rights of the citizens of Belarus by the Belarusian regime. The Belarusian authorities have once again proved by their steps that all their statements made so far about the process of democratization of the domestic situation are only empty words.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic regards such actions against Belarusian citizens, instilling the feeling of tension and fear among the representatives of the opposition and their supporters and the non-respect for fundamental international standards and values in the field of human rights and freedoms (including the right of expression and the right of assembly) as being among the major obstacles to the normalization of relations between the Belarusian regime and the countries of the democratic community.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic demands the immediate release of all persons detained during the demonstration and repeats its call on the Belarusian authorities to respect human rights and democratic values in Belarus.

March 26, 2008