CCS wrote a letter to the President of Belarus, protesting the imprisonment of Alyaksandr Fyaduta, a scholar and journalist.
Read the letter:
President Alyaksandr Lukashenka
Administratsia Prezidenta Respubliki Belarus
ul.Karla Marksa, 38
220016 Minsk
BELARUS
March 7, 2011
Dear President Lukashenka:
We are an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world. We write now in grave concern for Alyaksandr Fyaduta.
Dr. Fyaduta, a scholar, journalist and lecturer at the European Humanities University, is currently imprisoned and has not been treated for injuries reportedly sustained during the protest and his severe diabetic condition which requires daily medical care. According to reports, Dr. Fyaduta was arrested at his home on December 20, 2010, and has reportedly been charged with Article 293, mass riot, an accusation that stems from Prof. Fyaduta’s involvement in a peaceful protest that took place in Minsk, Belarus in the aftermath of the most recent presidential election. We understand that, since his arrest, he has been held in custody without access to legal counsel or to medical care.
Most alarmingly, we are concerned about the lack of treatment of the injuries Dr. Fyaduta reportedly sustained during the protest and of his severe diabetic condition, which requires daily medical care. In light of this, his detention without access to counsel or adequate medical support would appear to constitute a reckless disregard of his health and well being. This suggests disregard of international standards of due process, fair trial and detention as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Belarus is signatory.
We respectfully urge you to ensure that Belarus’ obligations under international law are upheld with regard to Dr. Fyaduta, and that you intervene to ensure his well-being We urge you to intervene to ensure his well-being pending his earliest release, including ensuring immediate and regular access to family, to legal counsel of his choosing and to medical treatment.
Sincerely yours,
Joel L. Lebowitz
Paul H. Plotz
Walter Reich
Co-chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Cc:
Ambassador Oleg Kravchenko
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus
1619 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009, USA
Fax: +1 202 986 1805
Email: usa@belarusembassy.org and
politics@belarusembassy.org
Assistant Secretary Philip H. Gordon
Bureau ot European and Eurasian Affairs
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520, USA
Assistant Secretary Michael H. Posner
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520, USA