Political prisoner list in Belarus expanded by 10 names

Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community

7 August 2024

In light of the recent developments regarding the indictment, detention, and sentencing of Aliaksandr Parkhomenka, Ihar Tarasau, Ivan Amreichyk, Vasil Niparka, Aliaksei Samailiuk, Anatol Zakurko, Ihar Sarokin, Siarhei Dzemidziuk, Andrei Velikaselets (whose indictment includes Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code (financing extremist activities)), as well as the detention of Stanislau Chmykhau in an open-type correctional facility under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (group actions that grossly violate public order), we reiterate the position expressed in the Joint Statement of the Human Rights Community of 10 August 2020. Furthermore, we would like to state the following:

Freedom of peaceful assembly is guaranteed by Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This freedom shall be subject to no restrictions except those prescribed by law and necessary in democratic countries for the purposes of national security, public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

The protests in question were spontaneous and self-organized, driven by distrust in the results of the 9 August 2020 presidential election in the Republic of Belarus. The election was marred by numerous violations and falsifications, and it was not recognized by the international community as democratic, fair, or free.

Citizens' assemblies were peaceful and posed no threat to either national or public security. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, the demonstrators were subjected to excessive use of physical force, special means, and weapons by special police units.

In a first for Belarus, rubber bullets and water cannons were deployed against peaceful demonstrators. The use of stun grenades was particularly damaging.

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

We consider the detention of the individuals mentioned above and accused of participating in group actions that severely violate public order or mass riots, to be politically motivated persecution. This is due to their exercise of the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression of their opinions regarding the announced results of the presidential election of the Republic of Belarus. We therefore declare them political prisoners.

In this regard, we demand that the authorities of Belarus:

• Immediately release Aliaksandr Parkhomenka, Ihar Tarasau, Ivan Amreichyk, Vasil Niparka, Aliaksei Samailiuk, Anatol Zakurko, Ihar Sarokin, Siarhei Dzemidziuk, Andrei Velikaselets, Stanislau Chmykhau and cease their criminal prosecution.

• Immediately release all political prisoners and individuals detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly during the post-election period and cease political repression of the country's citizens.

Viasna Human Rights Center;

Office for the Rights of People with Disabilities;

PEN Belarus;

Legal Initiative;

Lawtrend;

Human Constanta.