Statement of Human Rights Center Viasna in connection with the deterioration of Mikhail Marynich’s health

Mikhail Marynich, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus, former minister of external economic relations, deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the 12th Convocation, was sentenced to 3,5 years of jail and is kept in penal colony #8 in Orsha. Human Rights Center Viasna considers the sentence to Mikhail Marynich illegal and politically motivated.

As we found out, on 8 March the prisoner Mikhail Marynich had insult and the present state of his health presents danger to his life. That’s why Human Rights Center Viasna demands from Belarusian authorities to urgently release Mikhail Marynich and give him qualified medical aid.

Human Rights Center Viasna also expresses its decisive protest in connection with the fact that the administration of colony #8 of Orsha didn’t give the necessary medical support to Mikhail Marynich. This fact witnesses the inhuman, criminal attitude of the Belarusian authorities to their political opponents.

Human Rights Center Viasna urges all citizens of Belarus and representatives of the international community to express their support to and solidarity with the political prisoner Mikhail Marynich.

Adopted by the Board of Human Rights Center Viasna on 11 March 2005