Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MINSK898
2007-10-24 15:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
AMNESTY LEAVES FATE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS UNKNOWN
how-toVZCZCXRO8143 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #0898 2971544 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 241544Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6598 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1706 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000898
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: AMNESTY LEAVES FATE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS UNKNOWN
REF: MINSK 562
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
Amnesty Bill Appears to Exclude Political Prisoners
--------------------------------------------- ------
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000898
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: AMNESTY LEAVES FATE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS UNKNOWN
REF: MINSK 562
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
Amnesty Bill Appears to Exclude Political Prisoners
-------------- --------------
1. (U) On October 24, the lower house of parliament passed
both readings of a bill granting amnesty to over 3,000 common
criminals. To enter into force the bill must still pass the
upper house and be signed by Lukashenko. At this point the
amnesty does not cover political prisoners. Prison
authorities have cited all convicted political prisoners
except Andrey Klimov for alleged severe violations of prison
rules, making them ineligible. Klimov does not meet the
bill's requirements because he has not yet served one-third
of his sentence.
Naumov Does Not Rule Out Amnesty for Political Opponents
-------------- --------------
2. (U) Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Naumov told
reporters "there are no political sections in our criminal
code, therefore there are no political prisoners. ... If
(convicted members of the opposition) meet the conditions of
the amnesty, the law will apply to them."
Comment: Lukashenko to West: Is That Your Final Offer?
-------------- --------------
3. (C) On October 23, former Presidential Administration Aide
Aleksandr Feduta told Pol Chief that Lukashenko's Soviet
mentality meant the dictator genuinely did not draw a
distinction between political prisoners and common criminals.
He believed the GOB drew out the decision on amnesty
(reftel) because Lukashenko hoped to receive a concrete offer
from the West in return for freeing members of the
opposition. Naumov's non-answer suggests the regime might
still entertain the idea of setting political prisoners free
if the price was right, but confirms that the regime fails to
understand our basic demand for a good-faith opening to
reform.
STEWART
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: AMNESTY LEAVES FATE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS UNKNOWN
REF: MINSK 562
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
Amnesty Bill Appears to Exclude Political Prisoners
-------------- --------------
1. (U) On October 24, the lower house of parliament passed
both readings of a bill granting amnesty to over 3,000 common
criminals. To enter into force the bill must still pass the
upper house and be signed by Lukashenko. At this point the
amnesty does not cover political prisoners. Prison
authorities have cited all convicted political prisoners
except Andrey Klimov for alleged severe violations of prison
rules, making them ineligible. Klimov does not meet the
bill's requirements because he has not yet served one-third
of his sentence.
Naumov Does Not Rule Out Amnesty for Political Opponents
-------------- --------------
2. (U) Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Naumov told
reporters "there are no political sections in our criminal
code, therefore there are no political prisoners. ... If
(convicted members of the opposition) meet the conditions of
the amnesty, the law will apply to them."
Comment: Lukashenko to West: Is That Your Final Offer?
-------------- --------------
3. (C) On October 23, former Presidential Administration Aide
Aleksandr Feduta told Pol Chief that Lukashenko's Soviet
mentality meant the dictator genuinely did not draw a
distinction between political prisoners and common criminals.
He believed the GOB drew out the decision on amnesty
(reftel) because Lukashenko hoped to receive a concrete offer
from the West in return for freeing members of the
opposition. Naumov's non-answer suggests the regime might
still entertain the idea of setting political prisoners free
if the price was right, but confirms that the regime fails to
understand our basic demand for a good-faith opening to
reform.
STEWART