Fifteen people recognized as political prisoners

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

May 27, 2022

In response to the indictment, pre-trial detention and sentencing of Mr. Maksim Lebedzeu, Mr. Aleh Audzeyenka, Mr. Aliaksandr Kastsenka, Mr. Dzianis Korshun, Ms. Alena Zharyna, Mr. Ruslan Mikhailau, Mr. Dzmitryi Shkalionak, Mr. Siarhei Kliutchenia, Mr. Andrei Kliutchenia, Mr. Ivan Ibrahimau, Mr. Uladzimir Dziomchanka, Mr. Mikita Skotnikau, Mr. Viachaslau Arestau, Ms. Alesia Kureichyk, and Mr. Aliaksandr Pliutsinski under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (group actions that grossly violate public order), we reiterate the position set out in the joint statement of the human rights community of August 10, 2020, and would like to note the following:

Freedom of peaceful assembly is guaranteed by Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This freedom is not subject to any restrictions other than those established by law and necessary in a democratic society for the purposes of national and public security, public order, public health, and morals, or the protection of the rights, and freedoms of others.

The post-election protests were spontaneous, self-organized, and were caused by distrust of the results of the August 9, 2020, presidential election, which was marred by numerous violations and fraud and was not recognized by the international community as democratic, fair, and free.

Citizens assembled peacefully and posed no threat to national or public security. However, the demonstrators were attacked by special units of the Interior Ministry with disproportionate use of physical force, special equipment, and weapons.

For the first time in the history of Belarus, rubber bullets and water cannons were used against peaceful demonstrators. A particularly large amount of damage was inflicted by the use of stun grenades.

In our statement of August 10, 2020, the Belarusian human rights community condemned the actions of law enforcement agencies and placed all responsibility for what happened on August 9 and 10 on the authorities of Belarus.

A number of individuals have been arrested and detained as part of the authorities' crackdown on anti-war protests following the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

We assess the persecution of the above-mentioned individuals as politically motivated, as it is related solely to their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression in the post-election period and recognize them as political prisoners.

We also note that in the midst of a profound human rights crisis, it is unacceptable to use the tools of criminal prosecution to further restrict freedom of expression.

In this regard, we call on the Belarusian authorities to:

• Immediately release Mr. Maksim Lebedzeu, Mr. Aleh Audzeyenka, Mr. Aliaksandr Kastsenka, Mr. Dzianis Korshun, Ms. Alena Zharyna, Mr. Ruslan Mikhailau, Mr. Dzmitryi Shkalionak, Mr. Siarhei Kliutchenia, Mr. Andrei Kliutchenia, Mr. Ivan Ibrahimau, Mr. Uladzimir Dziomchanka, Mr. Mikita Skotnikau, Mr. Viachaslau Arestau, Ms. Alesia Kureichyk, and Mr. Aliaksandr Pliutsinski and stop their criminal persecution.
• Immediately release all political prisoners, as well as other individuals detained in connection with their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly in the post-election period, reconsider politically motivated cases, and stop political repression in the country.

Human Rights Center Viasna

Legal initiative

PEN Belarus

Lawtrend

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House

Belarusian Helsinki Committee