По-русски / Беларуская

We know that, having declared a hunger strike, he will not give up his demands and will go to the end! The price of such an action is the life of a Man, a Thinker and a Citizen.

On February 4, 2022, the famous Belarusian philosopher, writer and public figure, Vladimir Matskevich (Uladzimir Matskevich), began a hunger strike in the pre-trial detention center No.1 in Minsk. The demands he makes are the following:

(1) to change the pre-trial detention such that he can be released on his own recognizance (OR),

(2)  to complete the investigation of his so-called crime and

(3) to set a date for the trial.

If his demands are not met within 10 days, he will begin a dry hunger strike starting February 14.

Vladimir has been held in custody since August 2021 on suspicion of organizing actions that grossly violate public order. In October 2021, authorities started examining his texts and looking for evidence of “inciting racial, national, religious or other social hatred." However, the investigation has not moved forward. All procedural actions are kept in secret; there is no information about possible charges against him, including any new charges.

The pressure on lawyers now is unprecedented, and due to the forced closure of independent organizations, it is difficult to make qualified assessments about the texts of Vladimir Matskevich.

The figure of Vladimir Matskevich is a symbol of modern intellectual and independent Belarus. Back in the 90s, he began to “think the Belarus” as a self-sufficient prosperous state. In recent years, he has become one of the staunchest defenders of the country's sovereignty.

He is known for his principles, commitment to humanistic ideals and values. We know that having declared a hunger strike, he will not give up his demands and will go to the end.

Prosecution for the Orwell-like "thought crimes" has no right to exist in the modern world!

We are confident the requirements of Vladimir Matskevich are feasible. First, since he has made the decision to remain in Belarus, it should be acceptable to allow him to be released on his own recognizance (OR). Second, the requirements to complete the investigation and set a trial date are also highly reasonable. This is what competent authorities should do as their normal practice. Otherwise, the investigation and the court, and the entire law enforcement system in Belarus will irreversibly discredit themselves.

We believe that the requirements of Vladimir Matskevich are realistic even in the current political and legal crisis in Belarus. Society and decision-makers should know what his alleged crime is.

We don't want to lose Dr. Matskevich, a public figure, who has become a symbol of thinking Belarus.

We fully support all the demands of Vladimir Matskevich without exception!

We insist on admission to Vladimir Matskevich of a doctor, a notary and a pastor!

We demand from the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus the fulfilment of his professional duties to protect the rights and legitimate interests of the citizen, Vladimir Matskevich, ensuring the fulfilment of his requirements and control over compliance with the law during pre-trial proceedings!

We also demand independent international observers, including U.N. Special Rapporteurs, be granted access to Vladimir Matskevich and other detained Belarusians.

Nadzeya Luchanok, daughter

Tatiana Siniutich, sister

Tomash Matskevich,  sun

Sviatlana Matskevich, colleague, methodologist, PhD 

Grigoriy Januta, brother, PhD