2004 press releases

U.S. Embassy press release: Repressive Acts against Belarusian Civil Society Should Stop (March 29, 2004)

The Embassy of the United States of America expresses alarm and deep concern about recent actions taken by some Belarusian authorities against members of Belarusian civil and political society.

In recent weeks, Belarusian authorities have imposed onerous fines and pursued criminal proceedings against officials of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee. Separately, authorities are also pursuing charges against the chairman of the United Civic Party and have detained other political party leaders. Belarusian authorities continue to repress independent media by arbitrarily refusing printing and distribution services and threatening closure of independent newspapers, including the well-known and internationally respected Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta. Such actions would appear to violate Belarus' international commitments to protect and respect human rights. Furthermore, these actions raise serious questions about the commitment of Belarusian authorities to ensuring that upcoming parliamentary elections will be conducted freely and fairly according to OSCE norms of conduct. The Embassy encourages the Belarusian leadership to ensure that Belarusian authorities respect the rights of Belarusian citizens as guaranteed under Belarusian and international laws and reverse these actions against civil society.

In an unprecedented act of unity, the United States of America and the European Union recently jointly approached the Belarusian Government to reaffirm the importance both the United States and the European Union attach to relations with Belarus. Both the United States and the European Union warmly encourage Belarus to join the trans-Atlantic community of democratic nations in upholding common values of democracy, respect for human rights, and freedom of speech. To prevent Belarus isolating itself further from this community of friends and neighbors, the Embassy of the United States of America calls upon the Belarusian leadership to halt the repressive actions against Belarusian civil and political society.