Written question asked by Michael Trend (Conservative) on Monday, 9 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 April 2001. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Thursday, 26 April 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made concerning the abuse of legal process in the trial of (a) Mr Ales Byalatski, Head of the human rights centre Vyasna and Deputy Chairman of the Belarussian Popular Front and (b) Mr Vincuk Viacorka, Chairman of the Belarussian Popular Front. (Holding answer 23 April 2001).

Answer: Mr. Trend: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made concerning the abuse of legal process in the trial of (a) Mr. Ales Belyatsky, Head of the human rights centre Vyasna and Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front and (b) Mr. Vincuk Viachorka, Chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front. [158279] Mr. Vaz: [holding answer 23 April 2001]: An EU demarche was delivered on 11 April to First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov, raising concerns about the actions of the Belarusian authorities following demonstrations on 25 March, including the imprisonment of Mr. Viachorka and Mr. Belyatsky. The EU also called on the authorities to ensure that freedom of assembly of Belarusian citizens be fully guaranteed.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 158279; 367 c340W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Human rights Prisoners Politics and government Trials Belarus Belyatsky, Ales Viachorka, Vincuk
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk