Local EU Statement on the reports of mistreatment of political prisoners and on two pending death penalty sentences
The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Minsk.
The EU Delegation is deeply concerned about the credible reports of torture, mistreatment and inhumane prison conditions of political prisoners, including Andrei Sannikaw, Mikalay Autukhovich, Mikalay Statkevich, Dzmitry Bandarenka and Dzmitry Dashkevich. It is also concerned about the reports of denied access to their lawyers and family members. The EU Delegation calls on the authorities of Belarus to take all necessary legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures to ensure the full respect of its obligations of the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under international law.
The EU Delegation recalls its principled opposition to capital punishment under all circumstances and strongly regrets the sentencing to death of Dzmitry Kanavalaw and Uladzislaw Kavalyow. The EU Delegation calls on the authorities of Belarus not to carry out the executions, and to introduce a moratorium on the capital punishment in view of its eventual abolition.
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