(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an 11 July 2001 ARTICLE 19 letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Minsk, regarding the recent denial of visas to ARTICLE 19 representatives: 11 July 2001 Mr. Mikhail Khvostov Minister for Foreign Affairs Fax: +375 17 227 45 21/ 227 29 22 Dear Mr. Khvostov Re: Denial […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an 11 July 2001 ARTICLE 19 letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Minsk, regarding the recent denial of visas to ARTICLE 19 representatives:
11 July 2001
Mr. Mikhail Khvostov
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Fax: +375 17 227 45 21/ 227 29 22
Dear Mr. Khvostov
Re: Denial of visas to ARTICLE 19 staff
I write with reference to the refusal by the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in London to grant visas to ARTICLE 19 staff members.
Malcolm Hawkes (ARTICLE 19 Belarus Consultant) and I applied on 12 June 2001 for visas to travel to Belarus on 17 and 22 June 2001 respectively. Although we were initially assured by the staff of the Belarusian Embassy in London that visas could be obtained in one day with the correct documentation, on 26 June we were informed that our applications had been rejected. As a result ARTICLE 19 lost nearly £800 (US$ 1200) in unrefundable airfares and related expenses, whilst no explanation has been provided by your government.
The aim of the visit was to hold meetings with government officials, including representatives of the State Committee for the Press, to discuss the content of our new report, Mechanics of Repression: Obstacles to Free and Fair Elections in Belarus, which outlines the hindrances to freedom of expression and examines the prospects for a level playing field in the forthcoming Presidential elections, scheduled for September 2001.
We find the refusal of visas both incomprehensible and unconstructive. It does not augur well for free and fair elections, for the greater enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression, or for the media’s ability to fulfil its role of informing the public free from governmental interference.
We would very much appreciate the possibility of a constructive dialogue with your government in the future, which can only be achieved if we are in a position to visit your country.
Yours sincerely,
Federica Prina
Europe Programme Officer
cc: Belarusian Embassy in London.
