Amnesty International stands up for the Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition

The authorities of the republic did not stop "at the detention of thousands of protesters, torture of prisoners and beatings of journalists and doctors", - says the acting director of the organization for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Bruce Millar.

“They now accuse peaceful opposition leaders of posing a threat to national security. This shows how far Alexander Lukashenko’s regime is ready to go in trying to retain power. If something threatens peace and security in Belarus, it is precisely the violence of the authorities against their own people", - the human rights activist believes.

He added that current events only confirm that criticism and doubts about Lukashenko’s government are not allowed in the republic.

“This dispels all the remaining illusions that the authorities are interested in respecting human rights and ensuring the rule of law”, - said Millar.

He pointed out that the organization called on the Belarusian government to stop the persecution of peaceful protesters and recalled the obligation under international law to respect the right to freedom of expression.

- The statement of the Prosecutor General will certainly anger the protesters. People in Belarus should be able to express their views without fear of punishment, Millar emphasized.

Let us remind you that a criminal case was opened in Belarus against the Coordination Council of the opposition. The Prosecutor General of the Republic Alexander Konyuk announced this the day before.

- The creation and activities of the coordinating council are aimed at seizing state power, as well as harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus. On this fact, a criminal case has been initiated under Article 361 of the Criminal Code, - said the Prosecutor General.