At OSCE PC meeting - demand for Belarus to immediately release R. Pratasevich and S. Sapega
On June 10, 2021, the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) discussed the deeply concerning human rights situation in Belarus.
The European Union Member States, including Lithuania, strongly condemned all forms of torture and other ill-treatment by the Belarusian state authorities, including humiliation, intimidation and beatings, which seems to reflect a deliberate decision by the authorities to create a climate of fear, with the aim of silencing critical voices. Similar statements were also made by other Western states.
It was stressed, that Raman Pratasevich's and Sofia Sapega's coerced "confessions" violate their right to a fair trial and cannot be used as evidence in court proceedings. The Belarusian authorities were again urged to immediately release Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega, and other almost 500 political prisoners imprisoned in Belarus. The Belarusian authorities were also urged to stop all repressions and to ensure that all those involved in torture, physical coercion and intimidation would not enjoy impunity and be held accountable without exception.
