Nearly hundred people convicted in protest-related criminal trials in March
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” continues to monitor politically motivated criminal trials related to the exercise by citizens of their fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Starting with the election campaign for the presidential elections in 2020, the Belarusian authorities have been actively using the judicial system in order to suppress any criticism of the authorities and discussions on the further development of the state.
In February, at least 50 people convicted in protest-related criminal trials
In March the Human Rights Center Viasna observed a continuing trend toward criminal prosecution of citizens for political reasons. The political prisoner count has increased by 42 in the month.
Human rights activists are aware of at least 99 citizens convicted on political grounds in March. The ratio of women to men who were convicted in March in criminal proceedings is 18.2% and 81.8% respectively.
Of all March sentences known to human rights defenders, almost one-third (29,3%) were under the defamation articles, which the human rights community has long insisted on excluding from the Criminal Code. 47,5% were convicted under the articles on the preparation of group actions grossly violating public order or active participation in them and mass riots. In addition to defamation articles, 3% of citizens were charged with organizing and preparing actions that grossly violated public order or property damage. Of those convicted, 12% were charged with incitement to hatred.
Human rights defenders recorded that in March judges continued to impose penalties related to imprisonment and restriction of freedom on most of those involved in “protest” criminal cases. March sentences in numbers:
- 45 people sentenced to a total of 136 years and 4 months of imprisonment;
- 23 people sentenced to a total of 60 years and 6 months of freedom restriction in an open penitentiary;
- 29 people sentenced to a total of 65 years of freedom restriction under home confinement;
- 1 person sentenced to 3 months under arrest;
- 1 person received a fine of 11,200 rubles (about USD 3,400) as the main punishment;
- 1 person received a fine of 16,000 rubles (about USD 4,800) as an additional punishment to a freedom restriction;
- 1 person was sentenced to compulsory medical treatment along with restriction of freedom.
In March, the courts applied imprisonment in about half of the “protest” criminal cases (45,5%). Another 23,2% of the sentences involved restriction of freedom in open penitentiaries. Home confinement was ordered in 29,3% of cases. Arrest (short terms of imprisonment) was used as a punishment in 1% of cases. Fines constituted 1% of all sentences.
Thus, various types of custodial sentences were handed down in 98% of the politically motivated cases.
