Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 25 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 January 2006. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 January 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Belarus

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government in Belarus regarding the treatment of Pastor Ernst Sabilo and the Belarusian Evangelical Church in Minsk in relation to restrictions placed on them by the Belarusian authorities.

Answer: The Government continue to raise human rights issues with the Belarusian authorities, both bilaterally and with EU partners. Throughout 2005 we raised the issue of restrictions on freedom of worship, most notably in a resolution critical of Belarus' human rights record sponsored by the EU at the UN Commission on Human Rights. The Government have not made any separate representations to the Government of Belarus specifically concerning Pastor Sabilo or the Belarusian Evangelical Church. In the course of 2005, our ambassador in Minsk also met with leaders of Churches under pressure from the authorities to hear their concerns.

Secondary information