Belarus: Human Rights Situation gets worse

In a urgency resolution at 5^th of june 12 on the case of the journalist Andrzej Poczobut the European Parliament had again criticized the human rights situation in Belarus sharply.

The activist, who is representing the polish minority in Belarus, was arrested on 21^th of june, his apartment and office were searched and documents confiscated. He is accused of insulting the regime of Aleksander Lukashenko in his critical articles.

 The arrest was expected. It is in line with many other searches, subpoenas and intimidation against human rights activists, journalists and opposition politicians in recent weeks, including a ban on leaving the country for 108 activists. Also Ales Beljatsky, the President of the Human Rights Center "VIASNA", faces increased repression in the prison camp, where he had to serve a four and a half year prison sentence for bogus tax evasion.

The passed resolution of the EP strongly condemns all repressions and calls all EU Member States to expand the restrictions on travels beyond the country on all Belarussian officials responsible for the arrests. It also calls the UN Human Rights Council to appoint a special reporter for Belarus to make it stronger.

 To note, during the preparation of the resolution in the European Parliament on the 30 of June, Andrzej Poczobut was released on probation thank to strong international pressure.