General Prosecutor refused to discuss violations of civil rights and liberties in Belarus

Ryhor Vasilevich answered the address of the opposition politicians who proposed him to discuss violations of rights and liberties in the country. A copy of the answer was received by Anatol Liabedzka, Chair of the United Civil Party.

“The content of the answer has no relation to our address. We didn’t ask the Prosecutor General to hold an investigation, but proposed him to meet with the political opposition to discuss a set of issues extant on the national level, including the legal boundlessness which is cultivated by the authorities during the dispersal of street actions,” stated Mr. Liabedzka.

Bear in mind that on 15 July opposition politicians proposed the Prosecutor General, the Chair of the Constitutional Court, Piatro Miklashevich, and the Chair of the Supreme Court, Valiantsin Sukala, to discuss the issues of “total violation of rights and liberties in Belarus” at a joint meeting. The address was personally passed to the state agencies by Anatol Liabedzka, Siarhei Kaliakin, leader of the Belarusian Leftist Party Fair World, Uladzimir Niakliayeu, leader of the Speak Truth! civil campaign, Aliaksei Yanukevuch, leader of the Belarusian Popular Front Party, Viktar Karniayenka, Deputy Chair of the For Freedom movement, and Vital Rymasheuski, Chair of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy.

In the letter to Vasilevich the politicians note that "thousands of people across the country were detained by unknown persons, often with an unmotivated use of force. People are unable to protect their rights in court because the courts have become a pathetic supplement to power structures."

In the letter to Miklashevich they expressed "concern about the pervasive violation of the Constitution by the security forces." "Law enforcement officers are guided by the orders and rules of laws that are inconsistent with the Basic Law of the country", says the message.

In the letter to Sukala the politicians expressed concern over the fact that "the courts have supported the repressive policy towards dissidents, implicitly taking the side of law enforcement officials in cases brought before the courts."

"Obviously, Vasilevich and Sukala would feel a great discomfort at such a meeting. Miklashevich, Chair of the Constitution Court, has some space for maneuvering, while the Prosecutor General and the Chair of the Supreme Court are well-educated and qualified lawyers who understand everything pretty well, but it is deadly dangerous for them to discuss such issues. And Vasilevich not only refused to meet, but also hid behind Papova, Head of Department for supervision of civil rights and liberties, who signed the answer to our application. This shows how far the legal system its leaders have fallen," said Anatol Liabedzka.