HRW: Belarusian authorities launched a shocking attack on freedom of peaceful assembly


International human rights organization ‘Human Rights Watch’ has published a report on mass arrests and beating of protesters during the Freedom Day 2017. Human rights activists are calling the behavior of the Belarusian authorities “shocking” and are calling for respect for basic freedoms.

“Before and during the Freedom Day protests, the Belarusian authorities launched a shocking assault on the freedom of peaceful assembly, said expert of the ‘Human Rights Watch Belarus’ Yulia Harbunova. They should immediately release all those detained in connection with the protests, and to investigate allegations of ill-treatment by the police”.

The report notes that during the March protests at least 700 people were arbitrarily detained in Belarus – including more than 100 journalists and 60 human rights defenders. Many of the detainees suffered beatings and other unauthorized treatment by the police. After the Freedom Day, Belarusian courts ruled on bringing to administrative responsibility or the arrest 177 people based on trumped-up charges, noted the ‘Human Rights Watch’. The report also includes stories of persecution of Belsat journalists – Ales Zaleuski, Alyaksandr Barazenka, Larysa Shchyrakova and Katsyaryna Andreyeva.

Human Rights Watch recalls that, according to international standards, peaceful protest does not require prior permission from the authorities. Even if the authorities are not warned in advance of the peaceful assembly, this fact does not make the assembly illegal and is not the basis for the prosecution of its members.

“None of the international partners of Belarus should be under illusions about any real change in the relations of the Belarusian authorities to its commitments on human rights. They must consistently demand that Minsk releases detainees and shows respect for basic freedoms,” said Yulia Harbunova.

Human Rights Watch has not yet given a final assessment of the “White Legion” case, but has already noted the numerous procedural violations by law enforcement agencies.

belsat.eu

TWITTER