100 signatures reached
To: Irish Ambassador to the United Nations
APPEAL OF IRISH CITIZENS AND IRISH RESIDENTS TO THE UNITED NATIONS TO SUPPORT BELARUS
WE CALL:
1. to initiate a criminal investigation against former President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko in the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
1. to initiate a criminal investigation against former President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko in the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
Why is this important?
We are asking to respond to the disturbing and tragic events in Belarus, to protect the lives and civil liberties of Belarusians.
On August 9th, 2020, the Republic of Belarus held Presidential elections which became one the dirtiest, ballot rigged elections in Belarusian history. The ensued nationwide peaceful protests are being brutally suppressed by the authorities.
Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered for peaceful protests all across the country from large cities to the smallest villages. In response, the Lukashenko government unleashed armed forces, military, OMON, and police and ordered to brutally suppress the protests:
● Lukashenko authorized the use of rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons, stun and flash grenades in a violent, bloody crackdown to suppress and silence the peaceful unarmed protesters calling for a free democratic election.
● Journalists and press have been specifically targeted and to further silence the people the internet has been largely shut down across the country during the first four days following the election, combined with limited cellular service.
● On the streets: countless accounts of violent beatings, injuries, and unlawful detainment of over 11,000 Belarusians, some still in prison, - all civilian unarmed peaceful protesters.
● In detention centres: violent beatings, torture, rape, denial of medical care to severely injured, denial of medication to people with diabetes, asthma and other serious medical conditions.
● As of October 7th, 2020, seven people confirmed dead as a result of the brutal use of force by Belarusian law enforcement agencies:
● Alexander Tarajkovski (34, Minsk) - shot by government special forces, while walking the street alone unarmed with hands up in the air;
● Alexander Vihor (25, Gomel);
● Gennadi Shutov (43, Brest);
● Konstantin Shyshmakov (29, Volkovysk);
● Nikita Krivtsov (28, Minsk);
● Aliaksandr Budnitski (53, Minsk);
● Dzyanis Kuznyatsov (41, Minsk).
● As of October 7th, 2020, over 100 people, arrested for participation or protests, are missing, while hundreds are still being detained in jails without trial.
We, citizens and residents of Ireland with Belarussian roots and friends of Belarusian people, declare that Alexander Lukashenko ordered the mass suppression of peaceful protests and use of brutal police force against the citizens of Belarus. We further declare that Lukashenko and his regime is guilty of crimes against humanity as he personally authorized the atrocities that took place on the streets of Belarus, in jails and detention centers following the day of the elections.
At the time before the election campaign and to this day, Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly and openly stated to his political opponents and the entire population of the country that he is ready to use weapons against unarmed citizens. He and his regime are a threat to the lives of hundreds and thousands of innocent people.
We encourage the United Nations to show that it remains committed to its participation in a global fight to end the impunity with concrete action.
On August 9th, 2020, the Republic of Belarus held Presidential elections which became one the dirtiest, ballot rigged elections in Belarusian history. The ensued nationwide peaceful protests are being brutally suppressed by the authorities.
Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered for peaceful protests all across the country from large cities to the smallest villages. In response, the Lukashenko government unleashed armed forces, military, OMON, and police and ordered to brutally suppress the protests:
● Lukashenko authorized the use of rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons, stun and flash grenades in a violent, bloody crackdown to suppress and silence the peaceful unarmed protesters calling for a free democratic election.
● Journalists and press have been specifically targeted and to further silence the people the internet has been largely shut down across the country during the first four days following the election, combined with limited cellular service.
● On the streets: countless accounts of violent beatings, injuries, and unlawful detainment of over 11,000 Belarusians, some still in prison, - all civilian unarmed peaceful protesters.
● In detention centres: violent beatings, torture, rape, denial of medical care to severely injured, denial of medication to people with diabetes, asthma and other serious medical conditions.
● As of October 7th, 2020, seven people confirmed dead as a result of the brutal use of force by Belarusian law enforcement agencies:
● Alexander Tarajkovski (34, Minsk) - shot by government special forces, while walking the street alone unarmed with hands up in the air;
● Alexander Vihor (25, Gomel);
● Gennadi Shutov (43, Brest);
● Konstantin Shyshmakov (29, Volkovysk);
● Nikita Krivtsov (28, Minsk);
● Aliaksandr Budnitski (53, Minsk);
● Dzyanis Kuznyatsov (41, Minsk).
● As of October 7th, 2020, over 100 people, arrested for participation or protests, are missing, while hundreds are still being detained in jails without trial.
We, citizens and residents of Ireland with Belarussian roots and friends of Belarusian people, declare that Alexander Lukashenko ordered the mass suppression of peaceful protests and use of brutal police force against the citizens of Belarus. We further declare that Lukashenko and his regime is guilty of crimes against humanity as he personally authorized the atrocities that took place on the streets of Belarus, in jails and detention centers following the day of the elections.
At the time before the election campaign and to this day, Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly and openly stated to his political opponents and the entire population of the country that he is ready to use weapons against unarmed citizens. He and his regime are a threat to the lives of hundreds and thousands of innocent people.
We encourage the United Nations to show that it remains committed to its participation in a global fight to end the impunity with concrete action.