NENO condemns actions of Belarusian authorities

Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO) condemns Belarus authorities’ attempts to control, censor and ban peaceful citizen participation. In particular, NENO reacts to the decision of a Belarusian court to convict four young people for participation in the activity of a non-registered civic association, Partnertstva.

NENO joins numerous civil society organizations and governments all over the world in being concerned about undemocratic tendencies in Belarus.

The rights of freedom of speech, free association and civic initiative are taken for granted in Estonia; the Belarus authorities make exercising them impossible.

Estonian civil society organizations have strong ties with activists from Belarus. In addition to cooperation in elections monitoring, two of the convicted youth were in Estonia last year to participate in the NENO summer school. Mikalai Astrejka, 25, was punished with two years and Enira Branitskaya, 24, with half a year in prison.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has said a recent statement that Belarus should release all its political prisoners and expressed deep concern over the punishment of peaceful citizens.

Additional information:
Alari Rammo
head of communications
Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations
+ 372 631 1431
+ 372 5050052
alari@ngo.ee

Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO) condemns Belarus authorities’ attempts to control, censor and ban peaceful citizen participation. In particular, NENO reacts to the decision of a Belarusian court to convict four young people for participation in the activity of a non-registered civic association, Partnertstva.NENO joins numerous civil society organizations and governments all over the world in being concerned about undemocratic tendencies in Belarus.The rights of freedom of speech, free association and civic initiative are taken for granted in Estonia; the Belarus authorities make exercising them impossible. Estonian civil society organizations have strong ties with activists from Belarus. In addition to cooperation in elections monitoring, two of the convicted youth were in Estonia last year to participate in the NENO summer school. Mikalai Astrejka, 25, was punished with two years and Enira Branitskaya, 24, with half a year in prison.The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has said a recent statement that Belarus should release all its political prisoners and expressed deep concern over the punishment of peaceful citizens.Additional information:Alari Rammohead of communicationsNetwork of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations+ 372 631 1431+ 372 5050052 alari@ngo.ee