May 1, 2006

President Aleksandr Lukashenko
K. Marx Street, 38
Minsk, Belarus 220016
FAX: +375-172-26-06-10

President Lukashenko,

The International League for Human Rights, an international non-governmental organization with special consultative status at the United Nations, expresses grave concern about the detention of opposition leaders Aleksandr Milinkevich, Vintsuk Vyachorka, Aleksandr Buchvostau, and Sergei Kalyakin, who were arrested in Minsk on April 27, 2006. Their arrest occurred one day after they all had participated in a march to protest the government's handling of Chernobyl, the world's worst nuclear accident.

On April 27, 2006 Aleksandr Milinkevich was detained by riot police and transported to a police station. A few hours later, Milinkevich was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment on charges of organizing an unsanctioned protest rally. That same day, Popular Front leader Vintsuk Vyachorka, Labour Party Chairman Aleksandr Buchvostau, and Sergei Kalyakin of the Communist Party, were also sentenced to two-week jail terms for taking part in the protest.

Belarus has undertaken commitments to uphold international standards of freedom of expression and assembly as a signatory to agreements such as the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. These freedoms are fundamental to a democratic society. President Lukashenko, the League calls on you to ensure that all Belarusian citizens are allowed to express their views without fear of reprisals and prosecution.

The League demands the immediate and unconditional release of these opposition leaders, and the numerous political prisoners who are imprisoned throughout Belarus.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Robert Arsenault
President