"Let the victims — political prisoners in Belarus — speak out"
During the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Lithuanian government, with the support of a number of European countries and the United States, organized a discussion Let the Victims — Political Prisoners in Belarus — Speak Out.
The human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate. As the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus, Ms. Anaïs Marin, noted in recent reports, repressive measures are directed against Belarusian citizens both inside and outside the country, affecting a wide range of human rights. UN experts have called on the Belarusian authorities to pardon or commute the sentence of all people imprisoned on politically motivated charges. Several detainees have been subjected to compulsory psychiatric treatment, and they suffer from chronic, acute, or severe illnesses. The list includes people with disabilities.
The discussion was moderated by Vytis Jurkonis from Freedom House. Viasna human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka, former political prisoner and member of the Coordinating Council Alana Gebremariam, wife of Belarusian political prisoner Eduard Palchys Viktoryia Palchys expressed their vision of finding ways to restore justice to the victims of the Belarusian regime.
In a press release distributed by the organizers of the side event, in particular, it is noted:
"On February 3, 2023, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk concluded that some of the violations could amount to crimes against humanity, as defined in customary international law. On March 20, 2024, he reported that the government of Belarus may have committed a 'crime against humanity in the form of persecution.' Unfortunately, the High Commissioner also said that there are still no reasonable grounds to expect that justice will be restored in connection with human rights violations committed in Belarus by the current Belarusian authorities. Oppression against those who express disagreement with the regime continues in Belarus, and the level of criminal prosecution remains alarmingly high.
As of September 12, 2024, 1,347 people were recognized as political prisoners. They are not allowed to communicate with their families and lawyers. Many bloggers, businessmen, presidential campaigners, and peaceful protesters are being held behind bars only because they were not afraid to exercise their right to peaceful assembly, expression of their opinions, and participation in political activities. Most of these people were victims of politically motivated criminal prosecutions in connection with the events that occurred during and after the presidential elections in August 2020."
The participants of the event invited the international community to continue the discussion with leading civil society organizations, listen to their needs, and find ways to administer justice.
The side event was organized on September 23 by the Republic of Lithuania with the support of Austria, Belgium, Estonia, the EU Delegation, Finland, France, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
