Statement on the recognition of five people as political prisoners

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

August 30, 2024

We, the representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, once again emphasize that imprisonment and criminal liability for various protest activities are used by the authorities to suppress public and political activism, dissent and anti-war demonstrations.

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

The Ministry of Internal Affairs 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, it became known about the arrest and sentencing to prison of Katsiaryna Mendryk, Kseniya Susha, Ina Plakhatniuk and Ihar Melnikau on charges of promoting "extremist activities" under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, and Leanid Kozyr on charges of financing Belarusian volunteers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and humanitarian initiatives under Articles 361-3 and 361-2 of the Criminal Code.

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

• Immediately release the political prisoners Katsiaryna Mendryk, Kseniya Susha, Ina Plakhatniuk, Ihar Melnikau and Leanid Kozyr;
• Immediately release all political prisoners and stop the political repression against the citizens of the country.

Viasna Human Rights Center;

Legal Initiative;

Lawtrend;

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House;

Belarusian Association of Journalists.