Writer, human rights defender, and PEN Belarus member Ales Bialiatski was arrested on 14 July 2021 and has been held in pre-trial detention in Minsk since 17 July. Bialiatski is chairman of the Human Rights Center Viasna, a leading human rights organisation whose work and members have been repeatedly targeted by the Belarusian authorities. Bialiatski faces up to seven years in prison on trumped-up charges of tax evasion, under Article 243 (2) of the Criminal Code of Belarus. A date for his trial hearing has yet to be set. 

PEN believes that Ales Bialiatski is being targeted for his human rights work, and for exercising his right to peaceful assembly and expression. We call for his immediate and unconditional release and for all charges against him to be dropped.

TAKE ACTION

Letters of appeal 

Please send appeals to the Belarusian authorities, calling on them to: 

• Release Ales Bialiatski immediately and unconditionally, and drop all charges against him; 
• Pending his release, ensure that he is provided with regular communication with his family, lawyers and adequate health care; 
• Abide by their international human rights obligations and uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. 

Send appeals to: 

Andrei Shved
Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus 

Address: Vul. Internatsianalnaya 22, 220030 Minsk, Belarus 

Email: [email protected] 

Vladimir Makei
Minister of Foreign Affairs 

Address: Vul. Lienina, 19, Minsk 220030, Belarus 

Email: [email protected] 

***Please send appeals immediately. Check with PEN International if sending appeals after 31 January 2022. *** 

Solidarity messages 

Please send messages of solidarity to: 

Ales Bialiatski (Аляксандру Віктаравічу Бяляцкаму)
SIZO-1, vulica Valadarskaha 2
220030, Minsk
Belarus 

The prison administration is more likely to accept messages if written in Russian. Please find a model letter below:

Dear Ales, we stand with you and celebrate your work and courage. We will keep advocating for your freedom. 

Дорогой Алесь, мы c вами! Мы невероятно ценим ваш труд и мужество! Мы будем и дальше бороться за вашу свободу! 

You can also send online messages of solidarity to Ales Bialiatski through our PENWrites campaign: 

https://www.englishpen.org/pen-writes/penwrites-pen-belarus/ 

For further information, please visit the PEN International website.