“We Are Honest With Our People.” Interior Ministry To UN Representative On Situation In Belarus
Belarusfeed
5 October 2020, 19:52
Numerous allegations that human rights and freedoms are not respected in Belarus are unjustified and unsubstantiated. This was stated by First Deputy of Internal Affairs Minister, Chief of Criminal Police Gennady Kazakevich at a meeting with UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the parties discussed issues related to ensuring public order after the presidential elections in the country.
“We understand that the constant exaggeration in the media and the internet of unreliable, biased and unfounded information about the ongoing dispersal of peaceful protests in the country, arbitrary arrests and detentions, cases of enforced and disappearances, unlawful and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement agencies, torture and ill-treatment of detainees, the use of sexual and other forms of violence, persecution for political reasons further inspires the international community to open confrontation, with the ultimate goal of applying the classic scenario of the “color revolution” to Belarus,” Kazakevich said.
According to the official, “necessary” public sentiments are formed in social networks by “discrediting and demonising the authorities and law enforcement agencies, calling for strikes, non-observance of laws, the use of unregistered symbols, carefully planned provocations, etc.”.
Kazakevich stated that the use of force by law enforcement officers in such a situation is justified, and not only in Belarus, but also in Europe and the United States. However, for some reason it is taken for granted in these countries, the deputy minister noted.
He believes that the Belarusian police respond adequately to the evolving situation and act in accordance with the law. Besides, the official is convinced that the negative assessment that the international community gives to their actions is based on inaccurate information.
“There is a biased negative assessment of the activities of law enforcement agencies and the efforts of the state to stabilise the situation in the country. We did not aim to persuade someone. We are honest with our people. We ensure stability in our country.
We sought to convey truthful, genuine information about how law enforcement agencies operate. […] We stressed that every fact of alleged violence against civilians, as well as against police officers, will be properly investigated and the information will be made public,” he said.
Recall that on 1 September, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that their experts are aware of 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of people detained in Belarus during protest actions after 9 August. They are also alarmed by the fact that the whereabouts and health status of at least 6 people are unknown to their relatives.
As noted by Belarusian human rights activists, despite numerous and systematic reports of crimes committed by the police, the Investigative Committee did not initiated a single criminal case and, accordingly, did not detain or dismiss any of the persons who were directly involved in organising and committing crimes against the participants in the peaceful assembly and bystanders, they pointed out.
At the same time, according to human rights activists, since the beginning of the presidential campaign in Belarus, more than 250 criminal cases have been filed against participants in the presidential race, activists of their teams, participants in peaceful protests after the election campaign.
5 October 2020, 19:52
According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the parties discussed issues related to ensuring public order after the presidential elections in the country.
“We understand that the constant exaggeration in the media and the internet of unreliable, biased and unfounded information about the ongoing dispersal of peaceful protests in the country, arbitrary arrests and detentions, cases of enforced and disappearances, unlawful and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement agencies, torture and ill-treatment of detainees, the use of sexual and other forms of violence, persecution for political reasons further inspires the international community to open confrontation, with the ultimate goal of applying the classic scenario of the “color revolution” to Belarus,” Kazakevich said.
According to the official, “necessary” public sentiments are formed in social networks by “discrediting and demonising the authorities and law enforcement agencies, calling for strikes, non-observance of laws, the use of unregistered symbols, carefully planned provocations, etc.”.
Kazakevich stated that the use of force by law enforcement officers in such a situation is justified, and not only in Belarus, but also in Europe and the United States. However, for some reason it is taken for granted in these countries, the deputy minister noted.
He believes that the Belarusian police respond adequately to the evolving situation and act in accordance with the law. Besides, the official is convinced that the negative assessment that the international community gives to their actions is based on inaccurate information.
“There is a biased negative assessment of the activities of law enforcement agencies and the efforts of the state to stabilise the situation in the country. We did not aim to persuade someone. We are honest with our people. We ensure stability in our country.
We sought to convey truthful, genuine information about how law enforcement agencies operate. […] We stressed that every fact of alleged violence against civilians, as well as against police officers, will be properly investigated and the information will be made public,” he said.
Recall that on 1 September, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that their experts are aware of 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of people detained in Belarus during protest actions after 9 August. They are also alarmed by the fact that the whereabouts and health status of at least 6 people are unknown to their relatives.
As noted by Belarusian human rights activists, despite numerous and systematic reports of crimes committed by the police, the Investigative Committee did not initiated a single criminal case and, accordingly, did not detain or dismiss any of the persons who were directly involved in organising and committing crimes against the participants in the peaceful assembly and bystanders, they pointed out.
At the same time, according to human rights activists, since the beginning of the presidential campaign in Belarus, more than 250 criminal cases have been filed against participants in the presidential race, activists of their teams, participants in peaceful protests after the election campaign.
