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H.E. Mr. Sergej Aleinik
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lenina street 19
220030 Minsk
REPUBLIC of BELARUS
e-mail:
Dijk en Waard, January 2026
Your Excellency,
I am writing You as a person who is concerned with the respect of Human Rights, therefore I like to express my great concern about the situation of
MARFA RABKOVA
On February 28 2023, the Supreme Court considered behind closed doors the appeal of Marfa Rabkova, human rights defender and coordinator of the volunteer service of the Human Rights Center Viasna. She received 14 years and 9 months of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony and a fine of 22,400 Belarusian rubles. Marfa Rabkova was found guilty of “organizing, participating in and training others to participate in mass riots”, “inciting social hostility towards the government” and “involvement in a criminal organization”, among other charges. Marfa Rabkova was detained on 17 September 2020.
Marfa Rabkova is being targeted solely for her legitimate activities as a human rights defender, such as observing demonstrations and documenting evidence of human rights violations, including torture and other ill-treatment of peaceful protesters by law enforcement officials. She has committed no crime.
I therefore urge you to quash Rabkova’s conviction and ensure she is released immediately and unconditionally. Pending her release, I urge you to ensure she has access to medical care and is treated in accordance with international human rights standards, in particular the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
Thank you for Your attention in this very important matter, I am looking forward to Your reply and positive news about Marfa Rabkova.
Yours sincerely and respectfully,
(handtekening +
naam en adres)
The Netherlands
