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Moscow calls for release of Lukashenka's opponents

 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Tuesday for the release of all opponents of the Belarusian government detained after the December 19 post-election street protest, BelaPAN said.

"What happened after the election was absolutely unnecessary and unacceptable," RIA Novosti quoted Mr. Lavrov as saying. "We are calling for the release of presidential candidates, the release of journalists, human rights defenders and two of our compatriots who have not had any charges brought against them so far."

Mr. Lavrov acknowledged the existence of human rights abuse in Russia. "But this does not mean that we should turn a blind eye to what happens in neighboring countries. We are fighting our excesses and want our brotherly neighboring country to do so too," the minister was quoted as saying.

The minister's remarks came less than a week after he said in a televised interview that Moscow would not ignore human rights abuse in Belarus.

"Belarus is a brotherly country and a strategic partner for us, but this doesn’t mean we’ll turn a blind eye to violations of fundamental rights and freedoms," Mr. Lavrov said in remarks broadcast on Russia Today’s show “Spotlight.”

According to Mr. Lavrov, Moscow will not apply double standards and realizes the need to ensure human rights and freedoms in Russia as well, as the country has committed to meet certain standards.

He described the Belarusian government's post-election crackdown on opponents as unacceptable.