The statement on the recognition of 5 people as political prisoners

Statement by the human rights community of Belarus

October 10, 2024

We, the representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, once again emphasize that deprivation of liberty and criminal responsibility for various protest activities are used by authorities to suppress social and political activity, 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.

These charges may be accompanied by arbitrary accusations of other crimes as punishment for exercising the right to peaceful assembly or freedom of expression.

Thus, the following have been convicted and put into custody:

Siarhei Yunchyts on charges of financing and facilitating extremist activities under Article 361-2 and Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code;

Alena Liasneuskaya on charges of facilitating extremist activities, participating in group actions grossly violating public order, under Article 361-4, Article 342 of the Criminal Code;

Ala Dziasiatsik on charges of facilitating extremist activities, insulting an official and A. Lukashenka, defamation of him, participation in group actions grossly violating public order, desecration of state symbols under Article 361-4, Article 369, Article 368, Article 367, Article 342, Article 370 of the Criminal Code; she was sentenced up to three years in a penal colony;

Tatsiana Vasilyeva on charges of facilitating extremist activities under Article 364-4 of the Criminal Code;

Uladzimir Lazarevich on charges of financing extremist and terrorist activities, participation of citizens in military operations on the territory of a foreign state under Article 361-2, Article 290-1, Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code.

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 Siarhei Yunchyts, Alena Liasneuskaya, Ala Dziasiatsik, Tatsiana Vasilyeva, Uladzimir Lazarevich;

• immediately release all political prisoners and stop political repression.

Human Rights Center Viasna;

Legal Initiative;

Lawtrend;

Belarusian Association of Journalists.