The statement on the recognition of three people as political prisoners
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
January 23, 2025
We, the representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, once again emphasize that criminal responsibility and deprivation of liberty 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. Thus:
Ihar Maiseyenka was convicted under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on the charge of facilitating extremist activities and sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony;
Allan Royo was detained under Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code on the charge of creating an extremist formation or participating in its activities;
Alena Bobr was convicted under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on the charge of facilitating extremist activities and sentenced to three years and six months of imprisonment in a penal colony.
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 Ihar Maiseyenka, Allan Royo, and Alena Bobr;
-
immediately release all political prisoners and stop political repression.
Human Rights Center Viasna;
Legal Initiative;
Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
Belarusian PEN;
Belarusian Helsinki Committee.