Say NO to the death penalty in Belarus

Liubou Kavaliova, the mother of the executed death convict Uladzislau Kavaliou (found guilty of the 11 April terrorist act together withDzimitry Kanavalau), still continues struggling for the good name of her son.

She thinks that the both fellows have been sentenced to death unlawfully and demands to be issued with her son's body or at least be informed about the place of his burial. The woman is also a strong advocate of the abolishment of the death penalty in Belarus.

She has applied to all relevant state agencies struggling for her son's life, has repeatedly applied to Aliaksandr Lukashenka, demanding an objective investigation into the criminal case within the framework of which Kanavalau and Kavaliou had been executed by shooting.

Liubou Kavaliova has also applied to international institutions. The UN Human Rights Committee replied to her complaint with a decision according to which the rights to life, defense, a fair trial and judicial review have been violated towards Uladzislau Kavaliou. According to the Human Rights Committee, Belarus also violated a number of provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in this case.

Having found about her becoming "Person of the year 2012 in Vitsebsk" as a result of on-line voting, Liubou Kavaliova said:

"Of course, it is pleasant, as it is support of my efforts. Those who voted for me, share my views and help me in the struggle for Ulad's good name. However, I am not proud of such a fame, it would be better if our children were still alive. That's why this recognition is a very painful reminder that neither Ulad, nor Dzima can be returned back".

The "Person of the year in Vitsebsk" title is given by the editorial office of the "People's News of Vitsebsk" website on the basis of on-line voting. This year, 839 persons took part in the voting, 293 of them (35%), voted for Liubou Kavaliova. 24% respondents voted for the Vitsebsk political activist, former political prisoner Siarhei Kavalenka.