The Statement of PEN International

Author Margaret Atwood says Belarus must halt its "cruel assault" on those seeking democracy.

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day and in light of recent findings on Belarus by both the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the below organisations are deeply concerned about ongoing abuses carried out by agents and supporters of the government of President Alexander Lukashenko and call for immediate investigations and redress. 

Recently, the authorities have detained and sent to pre-trial detention centers three Belarusian journalists who were performing their professional duties.

Today, 6 November 2020, the Belarus PEN Centre makes the following call for international support as the government onslaught against the pro-democracy movement continues.

In response to a constitutional reform announced by the authorities, Belarusian human rights organizations consider it necessary to note the following. We believe that the process of discussing changes to the Constitution organized by the authorities is an attempt to silence gross human rights violations, including torture of thousands of detainees.

Today, 6 November 2020, the Belarus PEN Centre makes the following call for international support as the government onslaught against the pro-democracy movement continues.

Every week we receive alarming reports about the detentions of our friends – writers, journalists, and cultural workers.