FIDH and “Viasna” condemn sentence imposed on Zmitser Dashkevich
Paris-Minsk, 31
August 2012
FIDH and its member organisation in Belarus Human Rights Center “Viasna”
condemn the one year prison sentence imposed on 28 August on Zmitser
Dashkevich, leader of the civil and political
organization Young Front, for "repeated failure
to obey prison authorities".
Zmitser Dashkevich was initially sentenced on 24 March 2011 to 2 years imprisonment on charges of “malicious hooliganism” allegedly committed ahead of the latest presidential election of December 2010. Since his arrest and detention, he was transferred six times to various detention facilities and penal colonies. Over the last months, he has been purging his sentence in high-security colony No.13 in Hlybokaye (Vitsebsk region). He was expected to be released on December 18, 2012. With this new sentence, Mr. Dashkevich is likely remain imprisoned until 28 August, 2013.
During his imprisonment, Mr. Dashkevich has been repeatedly subjected to physical and psychological pressure in the penal facilities where he was held. He has also been repeatedly placed in a punishment cell for long periods and threatened with death. His right to meet his family has been arbitrarily restricted.
“Adding new sentences to the previous and not yet completed ones might constitute a further step in the repressive arsenal in Belarus”, stated Ms. Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President. “The harassment inflicted upon him is politically motivated and contravenes Belarus' human rights obligations, in particular the prohibition of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment”.
“We are seriously concerned about Mr. Dashkevich's health and the conditions of his detention. , added Valentin Stefanovic, Vice-President of Viasna.
FIDH and Viasna urge the Belarusian authorities to put an end to any kind of harassment against Mr. Dashkevich and to immediately and unconditionally release him, as well as all political prisoners in Belarus.
