Forced landing of civilian Ryanair aircraft FR4978 in Minsk discussed at the Special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council
On May 25, the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) discussed the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk on Sunday 23rd May and the detention of Mr Raman Pratasevic, a Belarusian journalist and democratic opposition activist, and founder of the Nexta information channel. Ms Sofia Sapega, a student at the European Humanities University in Vilnius, who was travelling with him, was also detained.
Lithuania underlined that the forced landing of a civilian aircraft traveling between two EU capitals - Athens and Vilnius - constitutes a gross violation of international law. It is also a dangerous act, which endangered the lives of civilians, and could reasonably be described as an act of state terrorism, requiring an urgent and thorough international investigation. Until this is resolved, Belarusian airspace is clearly not safe.
Lithuania demanded the immediate release of Mr Raman Pratasevich and Ms Sofia Sapega.
Lithuania also expressed its grave concern at continuing, systemic human rights violations in Belarus and condemned the prohibition of the Tut.by website and the detention of its journalists. It was highlighted how Belarus continues to apply pressure to the independent media as it persecutes journalists, members of the pro-democracy opposition and peaceful protesters. The power of the authorities have been widened through legislation targeted at suppressing any opposition opinion or activity. Lithuania ended its statement by demanding the Belarusian authorities to immediately release all political prisoners and those being unjustly detained in Belarus.
Full statement by the delegation can be read here.
