OSCE rights office alarmed at Belarus sentences

September 7, BPN. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s human rights office has voiced alarm at reprisals against Belarus’ human rights activists and uncertainty over the fairness of trials.

On September 6, the Minsk City Court sentenced the Viansa Human Rights Center’s coordinator Marfa Rabkova to 15 years in prison, and its volunteer Andrej Čapiuk to six.

ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci called these sentences “further testimony to the organized repression of human rights defenders, which is having a chilling effect on all those active in combating human rights violations and upholding fundamental freedoms in the country.”

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights reiterated the offer it made on a number of occasions to undertake fair trial monitoring in Belarus.

“ODIHR remains ready to assist Belarus in coming in line with international standards and ensuring the human rights of all are protected,” Mecacci said.