Freedom for Ivan Mikhailau – Stop persecution of conscientious objectors in Belarus

Freedom for Ivan Mikhailau – Stop persecution of conscientious objectors in Belarus

Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights (Bonn)
People in Need (Prague)
The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (Brussels)
Centre for Development of Democracy and Human Rights (Moscow)
Menschenrechte in Belarus e.V. (Berlin)
Östgruppen - the Swedish Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (Stockholm)
United Center of Initiatives for Belarus (Vilnius)
Janun e.V. Region Hannover (Hannover)
International Association Civic Belarus (Prague)
Bund für Soziale Verteidigung e.V. (Minden)
Europäischer Austausch (Berlin)
Gemeinschaft Schweizer Zivildienstleistender (Zurich)
Bonn 27.01.2010

The prosecution of conscientious objectors in Belarus is increasing. On 29 January 2010 the 21-year-old Ivan Mikhailau is due to go on trial.
He was charged of refusing compulsory military service and, therefore, arrested on 15 December 2009.
Ivan Mikhailau, a Messianic Jew, is unable to do military service because of his religious beliefs. He asked to be assigned to alternative civilian service, in line with Article 57 of Belarus' Constitution. The young man faces a fine or up to two years of
imprisonment if found guilty.
Already in November 2009 Dzmitry Smyk, a Jehovah's Witness, was given a large fine after refusing compulsory military service for religious reasons and demanding his right of alternative civilian service. He is banned from leaving Belarus and restricted on his freedom of movement within the country. This became the first such case in nine years According to Belarusian human rights organisations two more young men, Andrei
Tsianiuta and Yauhen Yakavenka, are facing prosecution for refusing military service on grounds of conscience.
We recognize Ivan Mikhailau as a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for his conscientious decision and we urge Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to release him immediately and unconditionally.
We also call on President Lukashenko to revoke the fine against Dzmitry Smyk as well as his restrictions on freedom of movement.