Ekaterina Vinnikova presented a graduation speech for her law school class at the Belarusian State University and supported two faculty members who had been fired for criticizing the government. She was summoned to the police station and detained for the past 15 days. She is now awaiting trial and charged with “infringement of the procedure for organizing or holding mass events.”
August 4,2021
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko
President of the Republic of Belarus
Independence Palace, Parspiekt
Pieramozcau Avenue
Minsk, Republic of Belarus
Fax: +375 17 226 06 10
Dear President Lukashenko:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for our colleagues all over the world.
We are writing to you concerning actions that have been taken against Belarusian State University (BSU) law school graduate, Ekaterina Vinnikova, by Belarusian authorities. In her graduation speech, Vinnikova expressed support for two faculty members who had been fired from the law school due to disagreements with the government. As a consequence of her speech, she was summoned to the police department and detained by means of administrative arrest, under Article 23:34 of the Belarusian Constitution. She was then interrogated fully without access to counsel for fifteen days. She now awaits trial.
We believe that Vinnikova’s detainment under Article 23:34 was erroneous, as the article clearly states that it is relevant to “infringement of the procedure for organizing or holding mass events.” Since Ekaterina Vinnikova was a student graduating from a school, it was impossible for her to be the leader and organizer of her graduation ceremony. Rather, the administration of the school organized it, and Vinnikova merely made a speech. Furthermore, and more importantly, Ekaterina Vinnikova was a young student, who should never have been interrogated without counsel, and then held for more than two weeks.
We urge that the case against Vinnikova be dismissed and/or nullified entirely, on the grounds that her arrest was not supported by Article 23:34 and that she is not being allowed due process. In the event that this case is not dismissed, we ask that you commit to a speedy trial, with minimal repercussions, as Vinnikova is clearly an excellent law school graduate who deserves better than to have her reputation tarnished or destroyed at the very beginning of her career.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists