Ihar Tsikhanyuk, an LGBTI activist who is an open advocate of homosexuality was denied the right to register a non-governmental organization, the LGBTI Human Rights Centre Lambda in January 2013. He was subsequently investigated by the police, beaten, threatened. Shortly thereafter, following an inquiry by the hospital treating him for an ulcer, the police released him without charge.
Amnesty International reported that two officers took Tsikhanyuk from the hospital to the police station. They asked him to describe his phone, car, and shoes. When he refused to answer some of his questions, the police beat him before driving him back to the hospital. Tsikhanyuk filed a complaint, but was dismissed for lack of evidence. The activist appealed, but his appeal was also rejected.
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Proper and independent investigation of Ihar Tsikhanyuk’s mistreatment at the police station
Punishment of those responsible for the act
Dear Prosecutor General:
Allow me to turn to you on behalf of Amnesty International Czech Republic to express my deep concern over the case of Ihar Tsikhanyuk, who was investigated, beaten and threatened by police officials in January 2013 after he had unsuccessfully attempted to register a non-governmental organization LGBTI Human Rights Centre Lambda in Belarus.
Amnesty International strongly believes that the denial of registration to the non-governmental organization followed by acts of violence was based solely on the attempt to curb the right to express one’s sexuality and to be free from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
In the light of the above described, I respectfully urge you, Mr Prosecutor General, to ensure that:
– The ill-treatment of Ihar Tsikhanyuk at the police station be duly and independently investigated, and
– Those responsible for the respective actions be brought to face justice and a fair trial.
In the spirit of respect for the basic values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity, I call on you, Mr Prosecutor General, to respect the human rights not only in the case of Ihar Tsikhanyuk mentioned in this letter, but also all the persons persecuted in Belarus on the grounds on their sexual orientation.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Yours sincerely
