Östgruppen condemns sentence to Ivan Mikhailau

The Swedish human rights organization Östgruppen submitted to the Parliaments of Sweden and the EU a protest note concerning the sentence to Ivan Mikhailau, 21, conscientious objector to army service in Belarus.

As the Swedish human rights defenders point, the Constitution of Belarus guarantees the civil right to alternative civilian service. Mikhailau is the first person sentenced to three-month arrest for refusal to serve in the army because of his religious beliefs.

As stated by Martin Uggla, Chairperson of Östgruppen, ‘the Belarusian regime again demonstrated a complete disregard for the fundamental human rights. It mustn’t pass unnoticed. The European Union constantly emphasizes that human rights are a priority in relations with Belarus. Such outrageous violation cannot but cause a scathing denunciation.’

Östgruppen calls on the government of Sweden and the EU to urgently take appropriate measures of reaction concerning Mikhailau’s case.