The statement on the recognition of eight people as political prisoners

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

July 3, 2024

We, the representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, once again emphasize that detention and further deprivation of liberty for various protest activities are used by authorities to suppress social and political activity, solidarity, dissent, and anti-war demonstrations.

In 2021, criminal legislation was significantly tightened and supplemented with new types of crimes used by authorities exclusively for political repression.

Out-of-court, the Interior Ministry and the KGB arbitrarily recognize as extremist citizens' groups brought together by public or political interests that criticize the actions of the authorities and demand reforms in the state and its policies. Several media resources were recognized as extremist formations as well. This in turn paves the way for the arbitrary prosecution and imprisonment of their members and respondents as a disproportionate measure restricting the right to association and freedom of expression.

For instance:

1. Iryna Kliazovich was taken into custody on charges of financing extremist activities under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donating to the protest community;

2. Maryna Hatsura was taken into custody on charges of supporting extremist activities following the arrests related to an initiative helping political prisoners;

3. Viktar Nikifarau was convicted under Part 2 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code for donating to Belarusian volunteers fighting on the side of the Ukrainian authorities against Russian aggression; he was sentenced to five years of imprisonment in a penal colony;

4. Nadzeya Leskavets was taken into custody on charges of facilitating extremist activities under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code;

5. Iryna Pahadayeva was detained on charges of facilitating extremist activities under Articles 361-4 of the Criminal Code;

6. Hleb Dudko was detained on charges of facilitating extremist activities under Articles 361-4 of the Criminal Code;

7. Zhanna Dashkevich was detained under Article 361-1 and Part 2 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code on charges of participating in an extremist formation and for donating to Belarusian volunteers fighting on the side of the Ukrainian authorities against Russian aggression;

8. Illia Humbar was detained under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on charges of facilitating extremist activities.

We recognize the named individuals as political prisoners in accordance with paragraph 3.1 (a) of the Guidelines on the Definition of “Political Prisoner”, and demand that the Belarusian authorities:

• immediately release political prisoners Iryna Kliazovich, Maryna Hatsura, Viktar Nikifarau, Nadzeya Leskavets, Iryna Pahadayeva, Hleb Dudko, Zhanna Dashkevich, Illia Humbar;

• immediately release all political prisoners and stop political repression.

Human Rights Center Viasna;

Lawtrend;

PEN Belarus.