Today it is Solidarity Day with all the victims of dictatorial regime in Belarus.

Belarus is notoriously known as "The last dictatorship in Europe". Numerous human rights violations are taking place constantly, amongst which involuntary disappearances of the opponents of the regime and imprisonment for political motifs.

Shortly before the presidential elections in the year 2000 the following distinguished Belarusian political and public figures were subjected to involuntary disappearances: ex-Minister of Internal Affairs General Yuri Zakharenko (May 7, 1999); Vice Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Belarus Victor Gonchar (September 16, 1999); businessman Anatoly Krasovsky (September 16, 1999); journalist Dmitri Zavadsky (July 7, 2000). Their fate remains unknown.

On February the 8th entrepreneurs Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka were arrested in Vaukavysk on suspicion of arson of a local militiaman’s house. However, another person was punished for this crime. While at the end of August Yury Lyavonau was released, Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka still remain imprisoned.

In June 2009 "Young Front" activist Artsyom Dubski was sentenced to a year in minimum security penal colony for violation of the rules of serving punishment in the notorious "Case of 14", when 14 youth activists were sentenced to restriction of liberty for their participation in protests rallies of entrepreneurs.

Recently kidnappings of young opposition leaders are taking place. On the 5th of December this year "Young Front" leader Zmitser Dashkevich was kidnapped by unknown people. He was put in an auto and released more than 5 hours later at the distance of 70 kilometers from Minsk. On the 6th of December similar thing happened to "European Belarus" leader Evgeny Afnagel. In total 6 cases of kidnappings were registered this year.

Action of protest against kidnappings will take place tonight at 18:00 on October square of Minsk. Traditionally foundation "We Remember" is initiating an action of solidarity with the victims of dictatorial regime in Belarus in front of the Belarusian embassy in The Hague. This time the demonstration is taking place from 15:30 till 16:30. Actions of solidarity will take place in other world cities as well.

CIWR.ORG