A/HRC/20/8 demonstrators merely stood together and clapped their hands. On 29 June 2011, the police arrested at least 100 participants in a silent protest in Minsk.18 37. On 13 August 2011, the Government pardoned and released nine people sentenced to imprisonment in connection with the events of 19 December 2010. This was followed by the pardoning of four people on 1 September, and of 11 more on 14 September.19 Some of those released alleged that they had been forced to admit their guilt and to sign a request for a pardon. As at early March 2012, five people convicted in connection with the events of 19 December were still in prison: Zmitser Bandarenka, Zmitser Dashkevich, Lobau, Andrei Sannikau and Mykalai Statkevich. 38. In the meantime, the authorities have continued to arrest, detain and sentence political opponents, in violation to their right to freedom of assembly. For example, activist Pavel Vinahradau was arrested on 22 February 2012 and sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention for organizing a “toy rally” near a Government building in Minsk.20 C. Treatment of political opponents 39. Since 1996, election campaigns in Belarus, including the presidential campaigns of 2001 and 2006, have been described by OSCE as non-compliant with international standards for free and democratic elections. The failure to meet international standards for free and fair elections violates the right of citizens to political participation, counter to article 25(b) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 40. The pattern of persecution, intimidation and harassment of political opponents to the incumbent President resumed during the election of 19 December 2010, when the authorities arrested seven of nine opposition candidates and launched a massive crackdown on and intimidation campaign against opposition leaders and activists. Five of nine opposition presidential candidates received prison sentences: Andrei Sannikau, Mykalai Statkevich and Dzmitry Uss were sentenced under article 293.1 (“organization of or participation in mass disorder”), and Uladzimir Niakliayeu and Vital Rymashеuski were sentenced under article 342.1 (“organization and preparation of acts gravely violating public order”) of the Criminal Code.21 It is to be noted that the law precludes any convicted person from standing in future elections. 41. On 19 December 2010, Uladzimir Niakliaieu was beaten unconscious. He was taken by his supporters to hospital for medical treatment. A few hours later, he was abducted from the hospital by unidentified masked men, who later proved to be agents of the KGB.22 He was reportedly held at the KGB detention centre and denied medical treatment, despite suffering from serious hypertension. On 29 January 2011, Mr Niakliaieu was placed under strict house arrest, with no access to telephones, the Internet or newspapers. On 30 March, he was charged under article 342.1 of the Criminal Code for “organization of or 18 19 20 21 22 “Belarusian „silent rally‟ protesters rounded up”, BBC, 29 June 2011. Available from www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-europe-13969346?SThisEM. Speech by Ambassador Mikhail Khvostov, Permanent Representative of Belarus, 20 September 2011. “Vinahradau sentenced to 10 days for toys”, Charter 97, 7 March 2012; available from http://charter97.org/en/news/2012/2/22/48356/. “Criminal trials in Belarus after December 19”, Legal Transformation Center; available from http://lawtrend.org/ru/data/752/). Jerome Taylor, “British law firm steps up fight against Europe‟s last dictator”, Independent, 27 September 2011. Available from www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-law-firm-stepsup-fight-against-europes-last-dictator-2361449.html. 11