2004 press releases

U.S. Embassy Press Release on Belarusian Hunger Strikers (June 9, 2004)

The Embassy of the United States of America in Belarus takes note of the action of several Belarusian political activists to declare a hunger strike demanding Belarusian authorities release former Minister and Ambassador Mikhail Marinich and make changes in Belarus' election laws to ensure Belarus can meet OSCE standards for a  free and fair election. On June 8, Ambassador George Krol met with the hunger strikers to listen to their views. During that meeting Parliamentary deputies Valeriy Frolov, Vladimir Parfenovich and Sergei Skrebets gave Ambassador Krol a letter signed by them addressed to the Congress and President of the United States outlining their appeal. Ambassador Krol noted that the Embassy of the United States in Belarus has gone on record encouraging Belarusian authorities to respect Mr. Marinich's human and civil rights and to take steps to ensure elections in Belarus will be conducted in accordance with OSCE norms. The United States Embassy once again strongly encourages Belarusian authorities to take these reasonable steps. The Embassy also encourages Belarusian authorities to allow free discourse and the freedom of assembly so that citizens of Belarus will not have to undertake actions that may endanger their personal health in order to draw attention to these worthy and internationally legitimate concerns.