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Pompeo said the United States was “very concerned” by Monday’s actions against one of Belarus’ most prominent opposition figures, Mary Kalesnikava, and praised “her bravery.”
“The United States, in coordination with its partners and allies, is considering additional specific sanctions to increase accountability for those involved in human rights abuses and repression in Belarus,” the secretary of state said in a statement.
Pompeo said the United States was “very concerned” by Monday’s actions against one of Belarus’ most prominent opposition figures, Mary Kalesnikava, and praised “her bravery.”
“The United States, in coordination with its partners and allies, is considering additional specific sanctions to increase accountability for those involved in human rights abuses and repression in Belarus,” the secretary of state said in a statement.
Belarusian border guards said Kalesnikava was trying to flee the country, but two comrades with her said officials wanted to forcibly expel her to Ukraine and that she tore her passport and jumped out of the car window to stay in Belarus.
“Reuters” / “Scanpix” nuotrary / Mary Kalesnikava
“We remind the Belarusian authorities to ensure their accountability to Mr. Kalesnikava’s safety and all those unjustly detained,” Pompeo said.
“We call on the Belarusian authorities to end the violence against their people, to release all those unjustly detained, including the US citizen Vitaly Škliarov, and to enter into a meaningful dialogue with genuine members of Belarusian society,” he said.
Shkliarov is a Washington-based political analyst who was arrested during a trip to his native Belarus and charged with aiding in a conspiracy to provoke riots. He himself denies the accusation.
He is a visiting professor at Harvard University and has participated in the presidential campaign of US Senator Bernie Sanders.
The Belarusian militia is intensifying its campaign against the opposition. More than 600 people were arrested on Sunday during the latest mass protest against the authoritarian rule of Aliaksandr Lukashenko.
Moscow’s ally Lukashenko faces the biggest challenge to his 26-year term since the disputed August 9 election.
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