Statement of human rights defenders on recognition of six new political prisoners

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

October 5, 2023

In connection with information about charges, detention, and sentencing of Kiryl Hrakhouski, Aliaksandr Yakimovich, Andrei Martsinovich, Alena Dzmitryeva, Aliaksandr Litskevich under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code ("group actions grossly violating public order") as well as of Uladzimir Mashkouski under Part 2 of Article 367; Part 1 of Article 368; Article 369 of the Criminal Code (for defamation of A. Lukashenka, an insult to A. Lukashenka and an official) and Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, we note the following:

Freedom of peaceful assembly is guaranteed by Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This freedom is not subject to any restrictions other than those established by law and necessary in a democratic society for the purposes of national and public security, public order, public health, and morals, or the protection of the rights, and freedoms of others.

The post-election protests were spontaneous, self-organized, and were caused by distrust of the results of the August 9, 2020 presidential election, which was marred by numerous violations and fraud, and was not recognized by the international community as democratic, fair and free.

Citizens assembled peacefully and posed no threat to national or public security. However, the demonstrators were attacked by special units of the Interior Ministry with disproportionate use of physical force, special equipment and weapons.

For the first time in the history of Belarus, rubber bullets and water cannons were used against peaceful demonstrators. A particularly large amount of damage was inflicted by the use of stun grenades.

In its statement of August 10, 2020, the Belarusian human rights community condemned the actions of law enforcement agencies and placed all responsibility for what happened on August 9 and 10 on the authorities of Belarus.

Further protest actions were peaceful in nature; meetings and their participants had to be protected by law.

We assess the persecution of the above-mentioned individuals who were imprisoned and accused of group actions, grossly violating public order, as politically motivated, as it is related solely to their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression in the post-election period and recognize them as political prisoners.

In this regard, we call on the Belarusian authorities to:

• Immediately release Kiryl Hrakhouski, Aliaksandr Yakimovich, Andrei Martsinovich, Alena Dzmitryeva, Aliaksandr Litskevich, Uladzimir Mashkouski and stop their criminal prosecution.

• immediately release all political prisoners, as well as other individuals detained in connection with their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly in the post-election period, and stop political repression in the country.

Human Rights Center Viasna;

Legal initiative;

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House;

PEN Belarus;

Human Constanta;

Belarusian Association of Journalists.