Statements made by the Belarusian authorities ahead of demonstrations planned for 25 March (Freedom Day) raise serious concerns that the police response will yet again be marked by severe violence, Amnesty International said today, as it called for international action to protect the rights of peaceful protesters.

As many journalists who document police crackdowns in Belarus have been imprisoned, Amnesty International is calling on diplomatic representatives in the country to monitor the protests and live-stream events, using their diplomatic immunity to expose expected police violence. The organization also calls on all businesses operating in Belarus to conduct urgent human rights due diligence to ensure they do not cause or contribute to human rights violations in the country.

“The authorities in Belarus have indicated clearly enough that they are prepared and have every intention of turning Freedom Day protests into yet another scene of appalling violence if they are confronted with protests similar to last year’s. Over the past eight months, the Belarusian government has presided over a human rights crisis marked by mass arbitrary arrests, imprisonment of journalists, unlawful use of force during protests, and torture and killing of peaceful protesters. The message from the top in Belarus is clear: any exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly or expression will be ruthlessly crushed. The world cannot stand by in the face of these threats,” said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director.

“World leaders should urge their diplomatic representatives in Belarus to monitor protests on 25 March and to live-stream events. International representatives can tell the stories for which Belarusian journalists have been imprisoned for sharing. It is essential that the abuses unfolding in Belarus continue to be exposed.

“We also call on international businesses to ensure they do not become involved in any future human rights violations by the Belarusian authorities, by taking concrete action to mitigate any risks. For example, businesses whose services may be used to restrict the free flow of information in Belarus should take steps to effectively prevent such abuses. If telecom companies are unable to prevent internet or mobile coverage shutdown, they should mitigate adverse impacts to the extent possible, for instance by informing users in advance, limiting the duration and geographic spread of the disruption, and finding ways to reduce impact on the most vulnerable and essential services such as hospitals.

“Solidarity with the Belarusian people requires firm, targeted action from the international community.”

Amnesty International is closely monitoring the situation in Belarus. On 25 March Amnesty activists around the world will hold protests outside Belarusian embassies and share messages of solidarity with peaceful protesters.