On Friday, 14 August, the Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee of the Saeima sent a letter to H.E. Vasily Markovich, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Latvia. In the letter, the Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee of the Saeima urges the Republic of Belarus to immediately discontinue and prevent violations of human rights, and to adhere to the Constitution.

Furthermore, the letter urges to immediately release the unduly detained persons and investigate each and every case of human rights violation, to guarantee unhindered and independent work of media and journalists, as well as to ensure unrestricted access to internet.

“Following the election held in the Republic of Belarus on 9 August this year, we have received video recordings, statements and other evidence which suggest that the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus as well as human rights are currently not adhered to,” said Artuss Kaimiņš, Chair of the Human Rights Committee. “Illegal detention, torture and cruel treatment of peaceful protesters is an especially severe violation of human rights. Security forces have, in fact, turned against their own people, the Constitution and human rights,” underlined Kaimiņš.

It is stated in the letter that according to Article 1 of its Constitution, the Republic of Belarus is a democratic state based on the rule of law. Democracy and the constitutional state are governed by the rule of law – any action by the state towards an individual must comply with the law, especially human rights. The human rights set out absolute prohibition of torture or cruel treatment, with no exceptions.

The letter of the Human Rights Committee also points out that the Belarusian security forces have detained and even assaulted many Belarusian and foreign journalists. Likewise, media independence is being curtailed and access to internet in Belarus has been restricted for an extended period of time, most probably due to interference of institutions of the Republic of Belarus, although official statements deny it.

Diverse, free and independent media is a precondition for respecting human rights and the very the existence of a democratic state. A state that fails to ensure freedom and independence of the media and obstructs journalism, cannot effectively function as a democracy. It is stressed in the letter that independent media and internet allow not only to freely access information, but also effectively share it, communicate and express opinions.

Saeima Press Service