Statement by the human rights community of Belarus on the recognition of seven political prisoners

Statement by the human rights community of Belarus

July 26, 2024

We, the representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, once again emphasize that deprivation of liberty and criminal responsibility for various protest activities are used by authorities to suppress social and political activity, 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. For instance:

Ihar Zhyvalun was convicted under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on charges of facilitating extremist activities and sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony;

Natallia Levai was convicted under Part 2 of Article 361-1, Part 2 of Article 361-3, and Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to protest initiatives and a Belarusian unit that is fighting on the side of Ukraine.

Also, the following persons were detained:

Yury Lahadziuk under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on charges of facilitating extremist activities;

Tatsiana Frantskevich under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on charges of facilitating extremist activities;

Natallia Labatsevich under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on charges of facilitating extremist activities;

Alesia Dzernakouskaya under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for financial assistance to political prisoners;

Aliaksandr Syrytsa under Articles 361-1 and 368 of the Criminal Code on charges of creating an extremist formation or participating in its activities and insulting A. Lukashenka.

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 Ihar Zhyvalun, Natallia Levai, Tatsiana Frantskevich, Natallia Labatsevich, Yury Lahadziuk, Alesia Dzernakouskaya, Aliaksandr Syrytsa;
  immediately release all political prisoners and stop political repression against citizens of the country.

Human Rights Center Viasna;

Legal Initiative;

Lawtrend;

Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Human Constanta;

Belarusian Helsinki Committee;

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House;

PEN Belarus.