US calls on Minsk to release protesters detained at rally—embassy

The United States urges the Belarusian authorities to release all those detained at a demonstration in Minsk on Saturday, the US Embassy in Belarus said in a statement. (Photo: Presidio of Monterey/Facebook)

MINSK—The United States urges the Belarusian authorities to release all those detained at a demonstration in Minsk on Saturday, the US Embassy in Belarus said in a statement.

“The authorities’ large-scale detention of peaceful protesters, human rights observers and journalists infringes upon basic democratic values. There have been reports of use of force by the security services against those detained and others,” the statement read.

“The United States will continue to closely monitor this situation and calls on the government of Belarus to immediately release all remaining peaceful protesters, human rights advocates, and journalists, to guarantee the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and free speech, and to uphold its international commitments,” it said.

According to unofficial data, some 300 people were detained by law enforcers as they intended to take part in the March of Angry Belarusians in Minsk on Saturday. The rally was scheduled to become part of protests that have hit the country since February. The citizens take to the streets to protest against Belarus’ social and economic policies, including the “law against social parasites” that fines the unemployed.