One of the oldest Swedish human rights organization “Swenska Freds”, holder of two Noble prizes, appeals to the Minister of Justice of Belarus with an open letter to support “Viasna”.

21.10.2003.

Stockholm 2003-10-20

Minister of Justice of the Republic of Belarus
Republic of Belarus
Kalektarnaya Street 10

Dear Minister,

We would like to express our deep concern regarding the lawsuit against the Public association "Human Rights Center "Viasna".

The Human Rights Center Viasna has been inspected several times during the last years whitout remarks. Neither has it received any warnings from the Ministry of Justice since August 2001. There are therefore no doubts that the ongoing liquidation suit against Viasna is politically motivated, and part of a large-scale campaign against Non-
Governmental Organisations in Belarus.

The Human Rights Center Viasna is one of the most important and influential human rights organisations in Belarus. To liquidate Viasna for political reasons would be a fatal mistake, not only in the short run, but also because the civil society sector in general, and human rights organisations in particular, are and always will be a necessary element of any well-functioning country.

Therefore, the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society strongly urges that the liquidation suit against the Human Rights Center Viasna is being revoked.

Sincerely,

Frida Blom
President
Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society

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