On the recordApril 29, 2014
Every individual has a right to live in a free society. This May, the Ice Hockey World Championship 2014 will take place in Minsk, Belarus, challenging the Belarusian Government to demonstrate that it lives up to the core principles of good sportsmanship and fair play. This global sports competition promotes integrity and emphasizes the fair application of rules and regulations. It is thus fitting that Belarus should do the same and show its citizens and the international community that it can play by the rules. I then call upon the Belarusian officials for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Ales Bialiatski, Mikalai Statkevich, and Eduard Lobau, whom Amnesty International regards as prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights. ____________________
