A lot of Belarusians and visitors from abroad state that Belarus is a corner of peace and stability. Our state is often associated with its first and still the only president Alyaksandr Lukashenka who rules with the iron rod and maintains order in the country. But is the beautiful picture consistent with reality? Is every citizen happy with the Belarusian ‘order’?
Human rights centre Viasna (Spring) states that there are six political prisoners – people who are unlawfully deprived of liberty because of their political views – in Belarus, and demands the immediate release of ex-presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, activists Yury Rubtsou, Artsyom Prakapenka, Ihar Alinevich, Mikalai Dzyadok, Yauhen Vaskovich.
