We are convinced that under the current difficult political and economic conditions in which the people of Belarus find themselves, only fair criticism and honest work on upholding the universal principles of human rights can protect people from political violence and oppression.
It was exactly this work that was conducted for many years by Ales Bialiatski and his colleagues from "Viasna" and exactly for this reason that this organization has been exposed to ongoing prosecutions and repressions, and finally now its chairman is deprived of his freedom. All those in support of justice in Belarus, in the surrounding region and in Europe as a whole, should do the utmost for the prompt release of Ales Bialiatski, the continuation of the work of "Viasna" and the end of political repressions by the Lukashenko regime.
ADC "Memorial", on its part, expresses absolute and unconditional
support for the principle and courageous position of Ales Bialiatski. We
don’t doubt his full innocence and we demand from the authorities of
Belarus to immediate liberation of this human rights defender, clearing
him of all the charges and allowing the continuation of human rights work of Center "Viasna" and all human rights defenders of the Republic of Belarus. Political persecutions must stop.
The Russian Version is available at the following links :
http://memorial.spb.ru/www/2447.html