US urges Belarusian regime stop repressions

• 6.03.2009, 8:14

The United States mission to the OSCE condemned appearance of new political prisoners in Belarus, dispersal of opposition demonstrations, and enforced draft into the army.

The statement notes the release of political prisoners in August 2008, granting persmission for two independent newspapers to be distributed through state networks, registration of the “For Freedom” movement, demonstration of readiness to work closely with the OSCE to rectify shortcomings in electoral laws and practices. The US mission to the OSCE regards this as positive steps, but they are also limited in nature. The US mission strongly encourages the Belarusian authorities to take further positive steps.

“These are all positive steps. But they are also limited in nature. We strongly encourage the Belarusian authorities to take further positive steps and ensure that progress is not reversed, and that follow-through is effective,” the statement says.

The US mission to OSCE shares the concern of the European Union about arrest of Yury Lyavonau, Mikola Autukhovich, and Uladzimir Asipenka. The statements expresses concern forcefully dispersed opposition rallies on February 14 and 16, and mentions that Franak Vyachorka, Ivan Shyla, and Zmitser Khvedaruk have been forcefully drafted into the army.

Businessmen Mikola Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka were arrested in Vaukavysk on February 8. Lyavonau and Autukhovich are former political prisoners, sentenced to imprisonment on far-fetched accusation for protection of the rights of entrepreneurs.