The statement on the recognition of 10 people as political prisoners

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

May 20, 2024

In connection with information about charges, detention, and sentencing under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (group actions grossly violating public order) in relation to Mikita Vaitsiuk, Halina Lahatskaya, Valery Sakovich, Katsiaryna Madziankova, Yahor Zenchanka, Mikita Yakhimovich, Natallia Saluk, Dzmitry Lapets, Aliaksei Zachapila, and also Siarhei Kulesh under Part 2 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code (participation in mass riots), once again confirming the position set out in the joint statement of the human rights community dated August 10, 2020, 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 democratic countries for the purposes of national and public security, public order, public health, and morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Protests by citizens were spontaneous, self-organized and were caused by distrust of the results of the August 9, 2020, presidential election, which was held with numerous violations and falsifications 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. Despite this, the demonstrators were attacked by special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who used disproportionate violence, riot gear and non-lethal weapons.

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

In our 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.

We assess the persecution of the above mentioned individuals who were imprisoned and accused of group actions, grossly violating public order, and riots 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 demand from the Belarusian authorities:

• Immediately release political prisoners Mikita Vaitsiuk, Halina Lahatskaya, Valery Sakovich, Katsiaryna Madziankova, Yahor Zenchanka, Mikita Yakhimovich, Natallia Saluk, Dzmitry Lapets, Aliaksei Zachapila, and also Siarhei Kulesh from custody and stop their criminal prosecution.

• Immediately release all political prisoners, and 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;

Human Constanta;

Legal initiative;

Belarusian Association of Journalists;

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House;

Belarusian Helsinki Committee;

Lawtrend;

Belarusian PEN;

Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.