Vaclav Gavel Condemned Liquidation of Human Rights Center “Viasna”

31.10.2003.

Former Czech President Vaclav Gavel condemned the liquidation of Belarusian NGOs and independent mass media. In his statement, distributed by Radio “Liberty” he says that was disappointed with the news about liquidation of one of the most known Belarusian NGOs, Human Rights Center “Viasna”.

He considers the decision of the Supreme Court to liquidate “Viasna” for law violations during the Presidential election of 2001 politically motivated and unfair, knows and respects “Viasna” for its work in the branch of human rights and support to victims of political persecution.

Vaclav Gavel also expressed his concern with the liquidation of other NGOs and independent mass media for the last months and conviction that democratic countries including Czech Republic should more actively support independent initiatives and democratic activists in Belarus.

In December 2000 Vaclav Gavel met with the founder of Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski and in September 2001 – with Vasil Bykaw.

In the beginning of 203 in his letter Vaclav Gavel expressed his support to the three imprisoned Belarusian journalists.