EU calls on Belarusian authorities to immediately release people detained during protests

This was stated by a spokesperson for the European External Action Service Maja Kocijancic.

“Detentions and sentences given to peaceful demonstrators, including opposition leaders, are in contradiction with the declared policy of democratization of Belarus,” she said. “The European Union remains committed to a stable, democratic and successful future of Belarus to the benefit of its people and will continue its work on this end. We call for the immediate release of the detainees”.

According to the spring96.org Human Rights Center, more than 80 people were detained in Belarus for participating in peaceful protests since March 3rd this year. Among them are 19 journalists and bloggers covering the protests.

Serches  and preventive detentions  of local activists were made in the cities where the protests were planned.

Babruisk UCP office search

Watch from 0:56. Police seizing personal belongings.

 

Protests against the decree number 3 are held in different cities of Belarus. The first protest took place on 17 February. Later, March was declared by the democratic forces and the general public a month of protests.

Ales Bialyatski, head of the Viasna (Spring) human rights defense center said that the arrests and detentions of public activists and journalists threaten the recent dialog between Belarus and the West. Mr Bialyatski believes that the EU will have to react accordingly.

Some political leaders are calling the activities in the country ‘Belarusian spring’.

Volha Davydava belsat.eu, belapan.by