Honorable Judge Chmara,

The International League for Human Rights, an international non-governmental human rights organization in consultative status with ECOSOC at the United Nations, is concerned about the Belarusian authorities' treatment of V. Starovoitov, former Chairman of Rassvet Collective Farm, and twice Hero of Socialist Labor.

Court proceedings in Mr. Starovoitov's case began November 30, 1998, in Kirovsk, a town in the Mogilev region, with Your Honor presiding.

We understand that there have been allegations that Mr. Starovoitov is being mistreated in pre-trial detention. Starovoitov, age 73, a World War II veteran, is kept in a 10-bed jail cell which holds 12 people. The cigarette smoke produced by his cell-mates is overwhelming for a man with a serious lung and heart condition. Furthermore, the jail cell is constantly cold on account of a broken window. Starovoitov is taken to court each day handcuffed and surrounded by dogs in an unheated metal truck with temperatures outside at around 25° C degrees below zero. Every day, before and after he enters the court room, Starovoitov undergoes an hour long strip search in a cold room where he is stripped bare.

At court, Starovoitov is being kept in a cage, as though he were a dangerous murderer. His condition is evidently deteriorating because of the constant physical stress. Recently he even lost consciousness in the court room.

We understand that Starovoitov is being tried under 12 articles of the Criminal Code for non-violent crimes including: grand larceny; bribery; the organization of entrepreneurial business without government authorization; taking advantage of job privilege; illegal possession of firearms; and other crimes.

The International League does not take a position at this time on the merits of these charges, but we do protest against the life-threatening treatment Starovoitov has suffered in pre-trial detention and the humiliation he suffers now in court. Because the proceedings involve 50 volumes of case materials and may continue through the winter, and taking into account the condition of his health, we ask that Mr. Starovoitov be released from custody on his own recognizance pending further proceedings, and that he will be given full access to counsel.

Thank you for your attention and we await your response.

Respectfully Yours,