As delivered by Ambassador Ian Kelly
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
November 29, 2012
The United States expresses serious concern regarding the confiscation of the apartment of Ales Byalyatski, the imprisoned chairman of Vyasna Human Rights Center, by Belarusian authorities. The apartment served as Vyasna’s office.
We urge the Government of Belarus to allow Vyasna to continue its work and to cease this campaign of intimidation. Vyasna does important work in promoting human rights in Belarus.
We renew our call on the Government of Belarus to honor its OSCE commitments by releasing Ales Byalyatski and all other political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, ensuring their full rehabilitation, and ending the ongoing harassment of political activists, civil society representatives, and independent journalists.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
