Human rights activists informed about 12 more political prisoners in Belarus

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

March 24, 2023

In response to the indictment, pre-trial detention, and sentencing for “group actions grossly violating public order” under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code of Mr. Maksim Stashulionak, Ms. Iryna Savashynskaya, Mr. Kanstantsin Zaremba, Mr. Albert Harbuz, Mr. Maksim Senik, Ms. Volha Hladkaya, Mr. Uladzislau Shukan, and Mr. Dzmitryi Yurtayeu, and in regard to the transfer to a penal colony to serve their sentences under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code of Mr. Mikita Niadzelka, Ms. Natallia Sialiakh, Mr. Maksim Palitau, and Mr. Aliaksandr Nestsiarenka, we reiterate the position set out in the joint statement of the human rights community of August 10, 2020, and want to note the following:

Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantees freedom of peaceful assembly. 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 and self-organized. They 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 considerable 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.

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 demand that the Belarusian authorities:

• Immediately release from custody Mr. Maksim Stashulionak, Ms. Iryna Savashynskaya, Mr. Kanstantsin Zaremba, Mr. Albert Harbuz, Mr. Maksim Senik, Ms. Volha Hladkaya, Mr. Uladzislau Shukan, Mr. Dzmitryi Yurtayeu, Mr. Mikita Niadzelka, Ms. Natallia Sialiakh, Mr. Maksim Palitau, and Mr. Aliaksandr Nestsiarenka and stop their criminal prosecution.
• Immediately release all political prisoners, and other individuals detained in connection with their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly in the post-election period, and stop political repression in the country.

Human Rights Center Viasna

Legal Initiative

PEN Belarus

Lawtrend

Belarusian Association of Journalists

Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House