Brest human rights defender makes local detention center employ female staff

Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak received a reply from Leninski District Police Department, confirming the presence of female employees on staff of the local detention center, following a complaint by local resident Inha Abramava submitted to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Mrs. Abramava complained about gender-based discrimination and torture in Brest Leninski District detention center.

However, in her additional data submitted to the Committee on 17 March, Mrs. Abramava states that despite partial implementation of the systemic part of her complaint, she insists on consideration of its individual part, dealing with instances of torture and discrimination.

Inha Abramava was detained in 2007 for placing blue ribbons (symbol of solidarity with political prisoners) on water pipes and trees. She was sentenced to five days of arrest and served the term at Leninski District detention center, where she was reportedly tortured and humiliated by male staff, together with other convicts.