BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

27/04/2006

Canada Condemns Arrest Of Belarusian Opposition Leader

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay today issued the following statement in reaction to the arrest of Belarus's opposition leader, Alexander Milinkevich, and his sentence to 15 days in jail:

"Canada condemns the arrest and detention of Alexander Milinkevich simply for exercising his democratic right of peaceful assembly, and we call for his immediate release. This is another example of how the Belarus regime is denying freedom and democracy in that country.

"Canada has repeatedly called on the regime in Belarus to respect its citizens' rights to peaceful protest and free speech. Both the Prime Minister and I have denounced the actions of the Belarus government and, in March, the Government of Canada announced a decision to limit its official relations with Belarusian authorities."

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Media Relations Office

Foreign Affairs Canada

(613) 995-1874

http://www.international.gc.ca

Source:

http://www.news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=209769

Google