Statement by the Belarusian PEN Centre

Mass repression and arrests of politicians, journalists and ordinary citizens, who disagreed with the official results of presidential elections, have been continuing in Belarus.
During December 18–20 about 600 people has been detained, arrested and searched. During the mass protests of December 19 about 400 people had been arrested. Most of those arrested are accused of a standard formulation »out of order, organization or holding mass actions«, »disorderly conduct«. Prisoners are getting formal sentences – 5 to 15 days detention.
Such members of the NGO Belarusian PEN-Center were arrested: human rights activist Ales Belyatsky, literary critic and an activist of »Tell the Truth« Alexander Feduta, as well as a number of Belarusian and foreign journalists, who had carried out their professional obligations during the action.
The fate of the honorary chairman of the NGO Belarusian PEN-Center Vladimir Neklyaev has been still unknown.
We appeal to our colleagues around the world to inform your governments and the society about another wave of repression in Belarus.

We will be grateful for the solidarity.
Council of the Belarusian PEN Centre

Statement by the Belarusian PEN Centre

Council of the Belarusian PEN Centre strongly condemns acts of violence against excellent, honorary chairman of Belarusian PEN Centre and presidential candidate Vladimir Neklyaev. At the evening of 19 December he was brutally beaten by security services (doctors diagnosed brain injury). Unconscious Vladimir Neklyaev was taken to hospital where he was  kidnapped a few hours later by unknown persons. Whereabouts Neklyaev now is unknown.
Belarusian PEN-Centre demands an urgent determination of Neklyaev’s fate and guaranteeing him with the full qualified medical care.
We demand an investigation of the facts beatings and abductions of honorary chairman of Belarusian PEN Centre.
We appeal to join our requirements of Belarusian and international human rights organization, International PEN and the national PEN centers.

Council of the Belarusian PEN Centre