“AI” representative Heather McGill not let in Belarus
The Belarusian authorities denied a visa to
Amnesty International’s researcher on Belarus, Heather McGill.
The refusal to grant access to “Amnesty International” now when representatives
of the organization have been visiting the country unhindered for over 20 years
to carry out human rights work highlights the current deterioration in human
rights in Belarus.
“Amnesty International” has taken steps to clarify the reasons for the refusal
to grant a visa to Amnesty International’s researcher. On 22 October, the
Secretary General of Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Belarus, Uladzimir Makei,
requesting clarification for the refusal to grant a visa. Several letters have
been sent to the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United Kingdom, but
no response has been forthcoming.
The organization therefore concludes that the refusal to grant a visa to Heather McGill is the result of a political
decision not to cooperate with Amnesty International, and to deny its
representatives entry to the country.
