HL Deb 24 July 2001 vol 626 cc205-6WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they, the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe have had any positive replies to their inquiries concerning the fate of Mr Viktor Gonchar, Mr Analtoly Krasorsky, Mr Yuri Zakharenko and Mr Dirnitri Zavadsky, who have disappeared in Belarus. [HL530]

Baroness Amos

I regret to inform the noble Lord that neither Her Majesty's Government nor European Union partners, nor the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, have received any response from the Belarusian authorities that leads us to believe that they are making serious efforts to conduct a thorough investigation into the disappearances of Viktor, Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, Yuri Zakharenko and Dmitri Zavadsky. But the Government will continue to press the Belarusian authorities to ascertain the fate of these prominent figures. A European Union Declaration to this effect was issued on 7 May, the second anniversary of the disappearance of Yuri Zakharenko. On 12 July, European Union partners issued a statement at the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe calling for the Belarusian authorities to comment on reports of the existence of Belarusian death squads and their alleged involvement in the disappearances. The Government understand that the trial of two members of the special police force charged with the abduction of Dmitri Zavadsky will take place in August. We will monitor this trial closely.