February 6, 2001 PRESS STATEMENT Belarus: Release of Political Prisoner Vladimir Kudinov The United States welcomes the release of Supreme Soviet Deputy Vladimir Kudinov from prison on February 5. In 1997, Deputy Kudinov was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment on politically motivated charges. We encourage the Belarusian authorities to take further action to meet OSCE conditions for democratic elections and Belarus' OSCE human rights commitments. Such action should include accounting for the disappeared, respect for freedom of expression and assembly, and the release of other political prisoners. [end] |