1997 press releases

Violations of Freedom of Speech and Assembly in Belarus (March 14, 1997)

The United States remains seriously concerned about human rights violations in Belarus--particularly in the past weeks. We call on the Government of Belarus to exercise restraint during upcoming political demonstrations marking Constitution Day, and to observe the international human rights agreements to which it is a party. The Belarus government issued a decree March 5 imposing severe restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly and stiff penalties for violations. Various party headquarters were recently searched by police. Peaceful protests earlier this week in Minsk ended in the reported arrest or detention of more than 100 individuals--some of whom were reportedly followed and picked up well after the event and far from the scene of the rally. Among those still under detention is Belarusian Popular Front leader Yuri Khadyka, who we understand is being held on charges of "disobeying the police." The United States recently evaluated its relations with Belarus. We adopted a policy of "selective engagement" reflecting the limited possibilities for engagement that we see because of Belarus's human rights problems and its failure to implement political and economic reform. As we have pointed out, how Belarus conducts itself will have a major impact on future U.S. relations with the country. The Government of Belarus claims that it tolerates dissent--it is time for a clear demonstration of this pledge.