“Viasna” Applies to FIDH for Support in Bringing of Criminal Cases against Belarusian Officials

Human Rights Center “Viasna” has applied to Mr. Sidiki Kaba, President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) with the request for juridical consultation and assistance concerning the possibility to bring criminal cases against the duty officials of the Republic of Belarus who are suspected in kidnaps and possible lynching of political opponents of Lukashenka’s regime.

-- Human Rights Center “Viasna” has been associated member at FIDH since beginning of 2004. It is a very influential international human rights organization that has its representatives in the UN Committee on Human Rights and other European bodies, -- said “Viasna” lawyer Valiantsin Stefanovich.

That’s why “Viasna” applied to FIDH President Sidiki Kaba and attached brief information on the disappearances of Belarusian public and political activists Yu. Zakharanka, V. Hanchar, A. Krasowski and Z. Zavadski to the request for juridical consultation on the possibility of criminal procedures against the suspected officials (V. Sheyman, Yu. Sivakow, U. Navumaw, Z. Pawliuchenka) in the European countries which have principles of extraterritorial jurisdiction in their legislation.

-- It is very important for us to know about such procedures and the countries in which they can be conducted, -- added Stefanovich. – If we know the precedents on similar cases, we would be able to more detailed work. While composing our inquiry, we referred to the report of Christos Pourgourides and the latest UN and PACE resolutions on human rights in Belarus. It is very important for every Belarusian citizen to know that the truth about the terrible crimes is found and the guilty stand fair and independent trial for their deeds.