Andrei Yurov, the head of the International Committee of the international observer mission, monitoring the situation of human rights in Belarus, regarded his expulsion from Belarus as an obstacle to the work of human rights organizations. "Human rights are not an internal affair of Belarus. Therefore, we believe that all these actions are illegal and associated with the mission," he said.
Andrei Yurov stated this at the press conference, held on March 17 in the office of the human rights organization «Viasna» in Minsk on the occasion of his forced departure from Belarus.
As Belarus has officially stated about its positive attitude towards the protection of human rights, Andrei Yurov has no idea how he’s got in the list of banned. «I considered myself a desirable person in this country, as I’m engaged in human rights work. But I turned out an unwanted person!» the head of the mission.
In addition, Andrei Yurov said: «It’s unclear what lists are, who has made them and on what grounds. I’ve been just presented a notice that I have about 24 hours to leave Belarus, which, naturally, I signed.»
«Black Lists» Officially Gone, but They Exist, Stefanovich
In turn, deputy chairman of the Human Rights Centre «Viasna» Valentin Stefanovich said that officially there were no lists of banned in Belarus, but still they existed. «We like the question of lists — «black» and «not black.» There are lists on the border, they are closed, no one explains why individuals should undergo body searches at every border crossing,» said Valentin Stefanovich.
«Lists are officially refuted, and the need for such inspections of power is simple: the border guards have the right to do so. Defenders regularly get into «black lists» for some time; my name together with Ales Belyatski is now listed in one of them,» stated Valentin Stefanovich.
Yurov Wants to Protest against his Forced Departure
Head of Monitoring Mission Andrei Yurov also said that he was going to protest against his forced departure. «We use all national mechanisms to learn about these lists. Secondly, about the mechanisms of Foreign Ministries of different countries — Ukraine and others. Thirdly, to address the UN and the OSCE. This is not just some kind of action against me or some of the Russian citizen, but the action against the person, involved in the protection of human rights,» he said.
