Mahiliou human rights defenders to picket in support of political prisoners
Barys Bukhel and Aliaksei Kolchyn
On July 17, a request to hold a picket in support of political prisoners was submitted to the Mahiliou City Executive Committee by local human rights defenders Barys Bukhel and Aliaksei Kolchyn. The application asks for permission to hold a picket in the city center on August 4.
During the picket the human rights defenders are planning to draw attention to the existence of political prisoners in the country, spreading publications and materials. The purpose of picketing is to demand the release of all Belarusian political prisoners.
Ales Bialiatski, chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” was arrested on August 4, 2011. The political prisoner had spent in jail nearly three years when on June 21, 2014 he was released under an amnesty. Now the day is celebrated as the International Day of Solidarity with civil society of Belarus.
