OSCE Chairmanship deplores unprovoked show of police force in Belarus

VIENNA, 27 March 2000 - The OSCE Chairmanship has learned with alarm about an unprovoked, unjustified and exaggerated show of police force in Minsk, Belarus on 25 March. Riot police attacked a large group of people in central Minsk, making seemingly random arrests. The day before, the security council of the city of Minsk banned all demonstration marches scheduled for 25 March, which several organizations were planning in commemoration of the declaration of independence of Belarus in 1918.

The arrest of peaceful bystanders, including opposition leaders, accredited journalists and camera teams breaches the right to freedom of association and information guaranteed by the Belarus constitution. The detention of an accredited diplomat, a member of the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus, who - in accordance with its mandate - observed the events, violated international conventions as well as local laws.

The OSCE Chairmanship reminds the Government of Belarus of the commitments it has undertaken towards an open dialogue. This dialogue, facilitated by the Belarusian government, scheduled to start on Wednesday, 29 March, cannot be fostered in a climate of violent repression. The OSCE Chairmanship therefore urges the Government of Belarus to release all persons still in custody, who were arrested on 25 March 2000, and to respect its international commitments.