Pavel
Levinov is a human rights lawyer and
a member of the Helsinki Committee in Belarus, Female Centre
"Adliga" and the Youth Centre "Seventh Side".
On 26 March at 10.00am, Yelena Borshchevskaya was
approached by three men in plain clothes at Vitebsk School No.39 where
she works as a teacher. The men produced KGB identity cards and a search
warrant and then ordered Yelena Borshchevskaya to bring them to her home.
On route to her home she was prevented from using her mobile phone and
her request to have a lawyer present was rejected. The men reportedly
remarked that she could file a complaint regarding their actions
afterwards. When they arrived at her apartment Yelena Borshchevskaya was
unable to open the door, as ordered by the men, because she did not have
her keys. When she requested that there be witnesses, the men call two
soldiers in army uniform.
At midday, the KGB agents called a worker from the
Local Housing Services and ordered him to open the door. When he refused
they summoned someone from the Ministry for Emergency Situations who
forced the door open. The men then entered the apartment and began their
search. At 1.30pm, human rights lawyer Pavel Levinov arrived in order to
be present during the search. The senior of the KGB agents, Major
Skorionovich, accused him of “using foul language” and ordered his
arrest. He was taken to Pervomayskiy district militia station. Whilst at
the station, Pavel Levinov’s blood-pressure rose to dangerous levels and
he was subsequently taken to hospital. On his release, Pavel Levinov
initiated a dry hunger strike in protest at his treatment.
According to reports he has lost at least 12 kgs since
he began the hunger strike 9 days ago.The KGB agents' search of the
apartment lasted from 1.00pm until 7.00pm, during which time they
reportedly confiscated equipment including computers, Dictaphones,
scanners and a large photocopier, as well as information saved in
documents and on cassettes and discs. The KGB agents stated that the
search formed part of a criminal investigation.
Between 25 and 27 March 2008, raids were carried out
on the offices of Adliga, and a considerable quantity of office furniture
was confiscated without being recorded in official regulation
confiscation reports. The raids were reportedly carried out by KGB agents
and members of the Belarusian militia.
On 25 March 2008, at approximately 10.20am, Vadim
Borshchevskiy was arrested on Lenin Street,in Vitebsk. Vadim
Borshchevskiy was detained for two hours at Zheleznodorozhnyy district
militia station before being released. There were no official records
made of the arbitrary arrest and detention.
Your Excellency,
I am deeply concerned following the arbitrary detention of
human rights defenders Vadim Borshchevskiy and Pavel Levinov; as well as
raids on the apartment of human rights defenders Olga Karatch and Yelena
Borshchevskaya and on the offices of the women's rights organisation
Female Centre "Adliga". Vadim Borshchevskiy is a journalist and
member of Female Centre "Adliga" and the Youth Centre
"Seventh Side". Pavel Levinov is a human rights lawyer and a
member of the Helsinki Committee in Belarus, Female Centre
"Adliga" and the Youth Centre "Seventh Side". Olga
Karatch is Head of the Female Centre "Adliga" and Yelena
Borshchevskaya sits on the board.
Between 25 and 27 March 2008, raids were carried out on the
offices of Adliga, and a considerable quantity of office furniture was
confiscated without being recorded in official regulation confiscation
reports. The raids were reportedly carried out by KGB agents and members
of the Belarusian militia.
On 25 March 2008, at approximately 10.20am, Vadim
Borshchevskiy was arrested on Lenin Street,in Vitebsk. Vadim
Borshchevskiy was detained for two hours at Zheleznodorozhnyy district
militia station before being released. There were no official records
made of the arbitrary arrest and detention.
On 26 March at 10.00am, Yelena Borshchevskaya was approached
by three men in plain clothes at Vitebsk School No.39 where she works as
a teacher. The men produced KGB identity cards and a search warrant and
then ordered Yelena Borshchevskaya to bring them to her home. On route to
her home she was prevented from using her mobile phone and her request to
have a lawyer present was rejected. The men reportedly remarked that she
could file a complaint regarding their actions afterwards. When they arrived
at her apartment Yelena Borshchevskaya was unable to open the door, as
ordered by the men, because she did not have her keys. When she requested
that there be witnesses, the men call two soldiers in army uniform.
At midday, the KGB agents called a worker from the Local
Housing Services and ordered him to open the door. When he refused they
summoned someone from the Ministry for Emergency Situations who forced
the door open. The men then entered the apartment and began their search.
At 1.30pm, human rights lawyer Pavel Levinov arrived in order to be
present during the search. The senior of the KGB agents, Major
Skorionovich, accused him of “using foul language” and ordered his
arrest. He was taken to Pervomayskiy district militia station. Whilst at
the station, Pavel Levinov’s blood-pressure rose to dangerous levels and
he was subsequently taken to hospital. On his release, Pavel Levinov
initiated a dry hunger strike in protest at his treatment.
According to reports he has lost at least 12 kgs since he began
the hunger strike 9 days ago.The KGB agents' search of the apartment
lasted from 1.00pm until 7.00pm, during which time they reportedly
confiscated equipment including computers, Dictaphones, scanners and a
large photocopier, as well as information saved in documents and on
cassettes and discs. The KGB agents stated that the search formed part of
a criminal investigation. The search runs counter to Belarusian law which
stipulates that witnesses must first be called for interrogation before
their property is searched and prohibits the forced entry into people's
homes.
I believe that Vadim Borshchevskiy, Pavel Levinov, Olga
Karatch and Yelena Borshchevskaya have been targeted as a result of their
human rights activities. I am concerned for the security and physical and
psychological integrity of the abovementioned defenders, as well as that
of all members of Female Centre "Adliga".
I call on the Belarusian authorities to:
1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial
investigation into the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders
Vadim Borshchevskiy and Pavel Levinov; as well as raids on the apartment
of human rights defenders Olga Karatch and Yelena Borshchevskaya and on
the offices of the women's rights organisation Female Centre "Adliga",
with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to
justice in accordance with international standards;
2. Guarantee the security and physical and psychological
integrity of Vadim Borshchevskiy,Pavel Levinov, Olga Karatch and Yelena
Borshchevskaya, as well as that of all members of Female Centre
"Adliga";
3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders
and human rights organisations in Belarus are free to carry out their
legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals.
Yours sincerely
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
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