The statement on the recognition of 5 people as political prisoners

Statement by the human rights community of Belarus

June 17, 2024

We, the representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, once again emphasize that detention and further deprivation of liberty for various protest activities are used by authorities to suppress social and political activity, solidarity, dissent, and anti-war demonstrations.

In 2021, criminal legislation was significantly tightened and supplemented with new types of crimes used by authorities exclusively for political repression.

Out-of-court, the Interior Ministry and the KGB arbitrarily recognize as extremist citizens' groups brought together by public or political interests that criticize the actions of the authorities and demand reforms in the state and its policies. Several media resources were recognized as extremist formations as well. This in turn paves the way for the arbitrary prosecution and imprisonment of their members and respondents as a disproportionate measure restricting the right to association and freedom of expression.

We are aware of the conviction of:

Viachaslau Nehadzenka under Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code on charges of organizing or joining an extremist formation; he was sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony;

Aliaksandr Ioda under Articles 342, 361-2 of the Criminal Code on charges of organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order, or actively participating in them, and financing the activities of an extremist formation; he was sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony;

it is also known about the detention of:

Yazep Duleba under Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code on charges of organizing or joining an extremist formation;

Anatol Valadzko under Part 1 of Articles 290-1 and Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code on charges of financing terrorist and extremist activities for donations to protest initiatives;

Aksana Liapko under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code on charges of financing the activities of an extremist group.

We recognize the named individuals as political prisoners in accordance with paragraph 3.1 (a) of the Guidelines on the Definition of “Political Prisoner”, and demand that the Belarusian authorities:

• immediately release political prisoners Viachaslau Nehadzenka, Aliaksandr Ioda, Yazep Duleba, Anatol Valadzko, Aksana Liapko;

• immediately release all political prisoners and stop political repression.

Human Rights Center Viasna;

Lawtrend;

Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

PEN Belarus;

Belarusian Helsinki Committee;

Legal initiative;

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House.