Statement by the Human Rights Center "Viasna" on the sentencing of Uladzimir Yaromenak
The Human Rights Center "Viasna"
Statement
August 20, 2013
On August 20, the Court of Minsk Pershamaiski district sentenced Uladzimir Yaromenak, activist of the youth organization "Young Front", to three months of arrest, founding him guilty of violating the rules of preventive supervision (Article 421 of the Criminal Code).
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" considers the sentencing of Uladzimir Yaromenak as politically motivated, as it is aimed at hindering or ceasing his further political activities, as well as exerting pressure in connection with such activities. Today's verdict to Uladzimir Yaromenak is a direct result of his conviction for 3 years of prison for involvement in the post-election protest of December 19, 2010.
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" notes that preventive supervision was established by a court after Uladzimir Yaromenak was pardoned and resulted from repeated administrative convictions for the peaceful exercise of his rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. A number of administrative cases were clearly rigged for the purpose of short-term isolation of the activist.
The sentencing of Uladzimir Yaromenak is an obvious factor that indicates a worsening of the human rights situation in the country and highlights the ongoing negative trend of recent months in this area.
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" urges the Belarusian authorities to:
- put an end to the criminal prosecution of Uladzimir Yaromenak;
- put an end to the practice of politically motivated persecution of political activists, human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents of the current regime;
- immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and lift all restrictions on their rights imposed in connection with their sentencing.
