Vitsebsk: human rights defenders are required to “confirm their powers”

However, the head of the ideological department, Aliaksandr Kulikou, sent him a demand to present any documents which confirm their powers, instead of giving an answer.

“By the way, the Belarusian legislation doesn't determine the status of a human rights defender. There are no legal acts which oblige a human rights defender to represent an organization. I passed this proposal as a private individual. I didn't act as a representative of any organization or legal body in this case,” commented Mr. Svetsik.

However, the answer is quite eloquent – it shows well enough that the chief ideologist of the Vitsebsk region has no wish to discuss human rights issues.