US Department of State condemns “heavy-handed tactics” of Belarusian authorities

• 8.07.2011, 9:38

The US authorities are concerned about the increasingly cruel methods used by the Belarusian authorities against demonstrators.

This statement was made by a representative of the Department of State, Victoria Nuland.

“The United States condemns the increasingly heavy-handed tactics employed by Belorussian authorities against demonstrators and journalists during the weekly peaceful protests which began in early June,” she said at a daily briefing in Washington.

“Hundreds of protesters, including more than 20 journalists covering the protests, were detained during the last demonstration on July 6th. We urge the Government of Belarus to release those detained, to respect the rights, including freedom of assembly, of the people of Belarus,” she added.

Nuland emphasized that the US continued to call for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.

Earlier, the US House of Representatives approved a bill providing for imposing sanctions against Minsk due to human rights violations. The Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011 passed in a voice vote on Wednesday and was sent to the Senate.

The bill allows imposing restrictive measures against officers of the Belarusian law enforcement bodies and secret services involved, as the US considers, in crackdown on dissent and protests as well as persecution of religious figures, human rights activists, opposition representatives and independent journalists.