Finnish League for Human Rights applies to embassies to support Ales Bialiatski

Finnish League for Human Rights (FLHR) visited the embassy of the Rebublic of Lithuania in Helsinki today to present a written appeal on behalf of Ales Bialiatski's case and situation in Belarus. FLHR requested a meeting also with the embassy of the Russian Federation in Helsinki, but received no reply. Therefore, the letter of appeal was left in a mailbox outside the embassy building. A third letter of appeal was sent to the embassy of Poland in Finland. The republic of Belarus has no diplomatic representation in Finland.

The action was taken out of solidarity for Ales and the personnel of Human Rights Centre Viasna. The appeals were made in order to ask thethree countries in question to do all in their power to enable the release of Ales.

Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr. Arunas Jievaltas received the delegation warmly and promised to contact his capital immediately to inform them of the appeal. FLHR Secretary General Kouros also informed the Ambassador of the dire situation human rights defenders and especially the employees of Viasna in Minsk face after the trial. The ambassador assured Lithuanian interest to follow the case and to appeal to Belarussian authoritiest on Ales' behalf.