Say NO to the death penalty in Belarus

Students and young people of Minsk took part in the discussion on the issue of the death penalty. The event was held in Minsk on 8 October under the sign of the "Week Against the Death Penalty", held by "Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty".

Among the discussion experts there were a honored lawyer of Belarus, former Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Belarus, Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Belarusian SSR (1994-1996 years) Mechyslau Hryb and the coordinator of the campaign "Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty" Andrei Paluda. Mechyslau Hryb told about hte circumstances of the case of the Vitsebsk serial killer Mikhasevich, in whose disclosure he actively participate, and said that 13 people were unlawfully convicted on this case, one of them executed. He also expressed his attitude to the death penalty.

By the way, Mechyslau Hryb was one of the first to sign the Petition against the death penalty, which has been singed more than 15,000 people already. The politician doesn't stay from this nagging topic even now, taking part in various initiatives of the campaign. He has taken part in the documentary "Cause of Death __".

The campaign Coordinator Andrei Paluda told about the events that will take place during the "Week against the Death Penalty".

Summing up the results of the discussion Andrei Paluda said:

"It's nice that youths pay attention to this complex issue, it is very pleasant to see many new faces here. It means that public information is bringing its results. Youth is the future of Belarus – these people will soon become lawyers, judges, builders, etc., and many things will soon depend on them.”

The World Day against the Death Penalty, marked annually on 10 October, was established in 2003 by the World Coalition against the Death Penalty, which includes more than 135 human rights organizations, bar associations, trade unions, local and regional authorities.