News on the topic: detention conditions
14.04.2016 Human rights activists warn authorities against building concentration camps
Activists of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” say they are outraged over the President's recent order to tighten the conditions for convicts serving prison terms on drug-related charges.
21.03.2016 Death in Žodzina prison: accident or negligence?
Ms. Maryna Bahdanava says her son died as a result of negligence by the doctors of prison No. 8 in the town of Žodzina, Minsk region.
02.03.2016 Viasna publishes report on monitoring places of detention in Belarus
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” has analyzed the situation in places of detention in Belarus and prepared a report on the results of monitoring in 2015.
22.02.2016 Tajik opposition activist released from jail in Belarus
Shabnam Hudoydodova, activist of the Group 24 Tajik opposition movement, has been released from jail in Brest, after over eight months of imprisonment.
18.02.2016 Creating separate colony with intolerable conditions of detention contrary to fundamental principles of international and national law
In accordance with Article 8 of the Criminal Executive Code, which enshrines the foundations of the legal status of convicted persons, the State guarantees the protection of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of convicts, provides the statutory conditions of application of punishments and other measures of criminal responsibility in relation to convicts, guarantees social justice, their social, legal and other protection.
12.01.2016 Prisoner attempts to kill self to protest torture
Yahor Pratasenia, 20, has committed a suicide attempt in the Žodzina jail to protest torture and abuse during the investigation and detention, according to Larysa Zhyhar, representative of the public initiative “Mothers’ Movement 328”.
17.12.2015 Term Of Detention In Remand Prison For Tajik Activist Arrested In Brest Extended
The term of remand prison detention for the activist of the Tajik organisation 24 Group Shabnam Khudoydodova detained in Brest has been extended for 2 months.
07.12.2015 Legal proceedings in jail death case deadlocked
Despite the fact that the judges have overturned a number of decisions by the Svietlahorsk district office of the Investigative Committee, they generally support the investigation in the death of Aliaksandr Akulich, disregarding the undeniable arguments of human rights defenders.
01.12.2015 Department of Corrections should not forget about country’s international obligations
The Department of Corrections has responded to a petition of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, which requested information about the conditions of detention of Andrei Bandarenka, former head of the Platform Innovation human rights NGO. However, the request was left without consideration on the merits in the interests of Bandarenka.
25.11.2015 Closed medical institutions: Treatment or violence?
Every year, Belarusian courts consider about 700 lawsuits asking for forced treatment of citizens, 90% of which are met. Meanwhile, the patients of closed institutions keep writing to human rights defenders with complaints of ill-treatment. Pavel Sapelka, who specializes in analyzing the country’s penal system, concludes that the current legal regulation in this area is insufficient. His findings are based on a detailed analysis of legislation and practice with respect to special hospitals.
19.11.2015 Interior Ministry ignores complaints about detention conditions in Smaliavičy
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has rejected an appeal by Leanid Kulakou, an activist of the European Belarus opposition movement, who earlier complained about the conditions of detention in the police department of Smaliavičy.
18.11.2015 Officials say there are no funds to improve conditions in detention facility in Barysaŭ
Opposition activist Zmitser Khvedaruk, who was one of the football fans detained by the police during a match on October 12 in Barysaŭ and held almost 24 hours in the district police department, has complained about the conditions in the local temporary detention facility.
17.11.2015 Viasna: Harassment of Andrei Bandarenka in prison linked to his earlier human rights activities
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" has written to Siarhei Daroshka, head of the Interior Ministry’s Department of Corrections, to highlight the conditions of detention of Andrei Bandarenka, former leader of the Platform Innovation NGO.
03.11.2015 Mother still seeking details in jail death case
Zhanna Ptsichkina, the mother of Ihar Ptsichkin who died in Minsk’s jail in Valadarski Street in August 2013, has been allowed to see the results of a new examination of her dead son’s body carried out in a re-opened criminal case. The investigation continues, but the woman still faces a ban on disclosing any details.
27.10.2015 Detention conditions improved in jails in Minsk and Smaliavičy after complaint from activist
In 2015, Leanid Kulakou, activist of the European Belarus opposition movement, has served two short jail terms in the temporary detention facilities in Smaliavičy and Minsk. The penalties were imposed on the activist or taking part in two protests, including in solidarity with political prisoner Yury Rubtsou.
