Letter of German Branch of Amnesty International to Prosecutor General

10.01.2003

https://spring96.org./en/news/11713 2003 2003-01-10T10:00:00+0200 2003-01-10T10:00:00+0200 1970-01-01T03:00:00+0300 en The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

German branch of Amnesty International sent a letter to Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus Viktar Sheiman and called him to immediately release the sentenced journalists.

Here’s the text of the letter:

“Rita Wienand
Kameter Str. 81
59077 Hamm
Allemagne

Viktor Sheyman
Prokuratura Respubliki Belarus
220050 g. Minsk
ul. Internatsionalnaya 22
Generalnomu prokuroru Sheymanu V.
Respublika Belarus’ - BY

Fax: 0035 172 264 166

09.12.2002

Dear Prosecutor General,

the sentencing of the two journalists Nikolai Markevich and Pavel Moscheiko in June 2002 by the district court of Leninsky in Grodno to two and two and half years “restricted freedom” caused world-wide indignation and protest.
The trial over “Pahonia” journalists was the most expressive example of human rights violation in Belarus. In the court appeal in August 2002 the sentences were shortened by one year. Both journalists must carry out compulsory work in extremely bad conditions, hundreds of kilometers away from their homes.
Viktor Ivashkjewitsch, editor of the independent newspaper “Rabotsci”, was also sentenced to two years “restricted freedom” in September 2002 and will certainly be brought to a faraway place for the duration of the sentence.
The journalists are non-violent political prisoners, who were only sentenced because of their non-violent opinions. I urge you to release them immediately. I urge you to guarantee the freedom of speech.

I look forward for your kind answer.
Yours sincerely, Rita Wienand”

Information Department of PA HRC “Viasna”