EPDE calls for the immediate release of Viasna members as they enter fourth year of political imprisonment

On 14 July 2021, Ales Bialiatski, founder and chairman of The Human Rights Center Viasna, esteemed human rights activist, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Valiantsin Stefanovic, deputy chairperson of Viasna and vice-president of FIDH, and lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich, were detained due to their roles as election monitors.

In March 2023, Ales was sentenced to ten years in prison; Valiantsin received nine years, and Uladzimir seven years, under disastrous conditions, including forced labor in health-threatening conditions without access to medication.

Two other Viasna members, Marfa Rabkova and Andrei Chapiuk, also endure prison sentences of 14 and six years, respectively, for their courageous advocacy of human rights and democratic principles.

These excessively long terms against the Viasna members are part of the Belarusian regime’s attempt to suffocate civil society and election observers, whom the UN recognizes as human rights defenders.

Today, 1403 individuals are held as political prisoners by the Belarusian authorities often subjected to inhumane detention conditions, abuse, and torture. 

In his last speech before his sentencing, Ales emphasized the necessity of dialogue and reconciliation in Belarus. He urged an end to political repression, the release of all political prisoners, and a united effort for the nation’s future.

“If we think of Belarus as our common homeland, where there is room for everyone, regardless of different political views and geopolitical preferences;  […] if we want to get a chance for economic, social, political, ecological development of our people—we must start this national dialogue! Enough is enough, we must stop this civil war.”  
–  Ales Bialiatski, 13 February 2023. 

EPDE stands firm in its solidarity with The Human Rights Center Viasna and their struggle for human rights in Belarus. 

The organization team reiterate the call for the immediate release of their colleagues and all political prisoners in Belarus.

EPDE calls on the Belarusian authorities to respect human rights and the rule of law as they are obligated to do under international law and treaties.