Belarus: Eviction of Belarus Helsinki Committee

The United States condemns the Government of Belarus' decision to evict the Belarusian Helsinki Committee from its offices, a move which forces the closure of the country's most significant human rights NGO. This latest attack by the Belarusian authorities on independent civil society underscores the steady deterioration of the human rights situation in the country. The United States urges the Belarusian authorities to immediately reverse this decision against the Belarus Helsinki Committee and to honor its international commitments -- including the 1975 Helsinki Accords -- to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

2007/057