Families of Disappeared Politicians Appeal to Masses
December 10 is the international day of human rights.
“Every human being has the right to life, freedom and personal immunity”.
Article No. 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
They are deprived of these rights:
Iury Zakharanka
Viktar Hanchar
Anatol Krasouski
Zmitsier Zavadski
On December 10 people all over the world celebrate anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Having ratified this document, the Republic of Belarus undertook to “favour common respect to the basic liberties and human rights”.
Appeal
To those who know our relatives
We, mothers, wives and children of the well-known politicians and public activists that have disappeared in our country, apply to You with the request for support in realization of the right to know about the fate of our relatives.
Uliana Ryhorauna Zakharanka, mother of the MIA general Iury Zakharanka who was Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus in 1994—1994 and has been missing since May 7, 1999: “Police workers, my son’s friends, I saw my son last on May 5, 1999. He disappeared two days after. The thought whether I will see him before my death bothers me all the time. I am 78 years old and ill. I can’t come to Aktsiabrskaia Square on December 10, but I know that much depends on you. You can protect not only me and my son, but your mothers as well. God save them from such grief as mine”.
Zinaida Hanchar, mother of the acting Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the 13th Convocation Viktar Hanchar who disappeared on September 16, 1999: “O apply to co-students of Viktar Hanchar who graduated from Belarusian State University, post-graduates and workers of the Academy of Sciences, lecturers of Belarusian State University of People’s Economy, his colleagues in the CIS Economic court, Central Electoral Commission, Council of Ministers, the Supreme Soviet of the 12th and the 13th Convocations. I apply to the electors of Vasniatsouski and Kolasauski electoral circuits of Miensk who expressed their trust in Viktar Hanchar in 1990 and 1995 by electing him a deputy so that he could stand for their interests. I apply to all people who love their families and share common human values. Please, overcome apathy and fear, come to Kastrychnitskaya Square at 12 a.m. on December 10. At that time there will gather friends and relatives of the kidnapped in order to remind the authorities about the right to know about the fates. We can’t keep silent and live in fear infinitely. In 1999 grief came to our family. Tomorrow it can knock on your door”.
Iryna Krasouskaia, wife of Belarussian businessman who has been missing since September 16, 1999: “I also didn’t think that this could happen to my husband. No mothers and wives can be quiet and sure that their relatives are secure until these crimes are disclosed. Wives, mothers and daughters, please, come to the square, defend yourselves and us. Together we can prevent the tragedy of kidnapping people in Belarus”.
Volha Ryhorauna, Sviatlana, Iura – mother, wife and son of Zmitsier Zavadski, who disappeared on July 7, 2000: “We apply to Zmitsier’s friends and colleagues, to those who worked with him at Belarusian TV and PRT. We apply to all the people who knew Zmitsier as an honest, decent, open and reliable man. Our sufferings have merged into a number of years of waiting, grief and disappointment. Please, support us on this day, help us to believe that there other people except us who love Zmitsier, wait for him and have compassion for our pain”.
We will be waiting for you in Kastrychnitskaia Square at 12 a.m. on December 10.
Our actions don’t contradict to the law. They are the way for preserving our human face.
Information Department of PA HRC “Viasna”
