General Prosecutor refused to discuss violations of civil rights and liberties in Belarus
Ryhor Vasilevich answered the address
of the opposition politicians who proposed him to discuss violations of rights
and liberties in the country. A copy of the answer was received by Anatol
Liabedzka, Chair of the United Civil Party.
“The content of the answer has no relation to our address. We didn’t ask the
Prosecutor General to hold an investigation, but proposed him to meet with the
political opposition to discuss a set of issues extant on the national level,
including the legal boundlessness which is cultivated by the authorities during
the dispersal of street actions,” stated Mr. Liabedzka.
Bear in mind that on 15 July opposition
politicians proposed the Prosecutor General, the Chair of the Constitutional
Court, Piatro Miklashevich, and the Chair of the Supreme Court, Valiantsin
Sukala, to discuss the issues of “total violation of rights and liberties in
Belarus” at a joint meeting. The address was personally passed to the state
agencies by Anatol Liabedzka, Siarhei Kaliakin, leader of the Belarusian
Leftist Party Fair World, Uladzimir
Niakliayeu, leader of the Speak Truth! civil
campaign, Aliaksei Yanukevuch, leader of the Belarusian Popular Front Party,
Viktar Karniayenka, Deputy Chair of the For
Freedom movement, and Vital Rymasheuski, Chair of the organizing committee
of the Belarusian Christian Democracy.
In the letter to Vasilevich the politicians note that "thousands of people
across the country were detained by unknown persons, often with an unmotivated
use of force. People are unable to protect their rights in court because the
courts have become a pathetic supplement to power structures."
In the letter to Miklashevich they expressed "concern
about the pervasive violation of the Constitution by the security forces."
"Law enforcement officers are guided by the orders and rules of laws that
are inconsistent with the Basic Law of the country", says the message.
In the letter to Sukala the politicians expressed concern
over the fact that "the courts have supported the repressive policy
towards dissidents, implicitly taking the side of law enforcement officials in
cases brought before the courts."
"Obviously, Vasilevich and Sukala would feel a great
discomfort at such a meeting. Miklashevich, Chair of the Constitution Court, has some space for maneuvering,
while the Prosecutor General and the Chair of the Supreme Court are
well-educated and qualified lawyers who understand everything pretty well, but
it is deadly dangerous for them to discuss such issues. And Vasilevich not only
refused to meet, but also hid behind Papova, Head of Department for supervision
of civil rights and liberties, who signed the answer to our application. This
shows how far the legal system its leaders have fallen," said Anatol
Liabedzka.