IBAHRI Co-Chair and former Justice of the High Court of Australia (1996 – 2006), the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, commented: ‘The IBAHRI calls for the immediate release of Mr Salei and Mr Znak. Their continued detention is indicative of sustained efforts by the Belarusian authorities to silence all dissent. It is unacceptable. The principle of the independence of legal professionals is enshrined in the United Nations Basic Principles of the Role of Lawyers. Relevantly, Article 23 states, “Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization.”We call on the Belarusian authorities to comply with its international human rights obligations.’
