Human rights situation in Belarus. February 2025

Summary:

• The human rights situation in Belarus remains challenging. Repressive measures against 2020 protestors and dissidents persist.

• The International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB), an organization Viasna belongs to, has submitted pertinent evidence and meticulous legal analysis to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The submitted materials will be thoroughly reviewed to determine the Court’s jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes against humanity. These crimes include deportation, persecution, and other inhumane acts that Belarusian high-ranking officials have committed since May 1, 2020. It has been noted that the Platform’s database contains a wealth of documentation, including more than 29,000 documents related to 2,600 interviewees and over one million archival materials from open sources.

• As of February 28, 2025, there were 1,234 political prisoners (155 of whom were women) in Belarus. During that month, the human rights community recognized 39 people as such and demanded the rehabilitation of 16 former political prisoners whose conviction was reported after their release. Since May 2020, more than 3,776 people have been recognized as political prisoners. As of this writing, 2,542 people, of whom 541 are women, are already at liberty due to the completion of their sentence, release from punishment, or change of restraining order.

• Viasna has registered over 6,560 individuals convicted in politically motivated criminal cases. In February, the number of individuals convicted in January was 89. Of these individuals, 65 were male, and 24 were female. One more person was convicted in absentia in January. This is the minimum number of defendants known to have been convicted. In January, courts heard criminal cases against at least 180 people accused of politically motivated crimes.

• The Viasna Human Rights Center has several members serving sentences in correctional facilities. These include Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski, vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Valiantsin Stefanovic, Uladzimir Labkovich, Marfa Rabkova, volunteer Andrei Chapiuk, and Human Constanta human rights activist Nasta Loika.

• The arbitrary detention of citizens for exercising their civil rights persists. In February 2025, Viasna recorded at least 656 cases of politically motivated repression (including detentions, searches, etc.) stemming from criminal and administrative prosecution. At least 352 individuals were subject to rulings in administrative cases.

• Human rights defenders regularly identify, collect, and file facts of torture and prohibited treatment during politically motivated criminal investigations and the serving of criminal and administrative punishments for prisoners in politically motivated cases.

• The Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women has issued a statement regarding the ninth periodic report of Belarus. CEDAW expressed concern over the absence of comprehensive legislation on gender equality and anti-discrimination laws in Belarus. The Committee has observed the severe repression of women’s rights defenders, political activists, and journalists, as well as the inhumane conditions of their detention. CEDAW called for the review of criminal cases and the release of women whose imprisonment threatened their health or lives.

• The Belarusian government has been accused of committing “committed widespread human rights violations against the country’s civilian population, some amounting to crimes against humanity, as part of a brutal effort to quash all opposition to the rule of President Aleksandr Lukashenko.” The UN panel of independent experts on the human rights situation in Belarus has concluded that some of these violations amount to crimes against humanity. 

• Amendments to the Criminal Code took effect, broadening the scope of cross-border prosecution for political reasons.

Politically motivated persecution and political prisoners

Since 2020, at least 8,092 individuals have been subjected to criminal prosecution on political grounds. Politically motivated convictions were handed down to at least 6,673 people. At least 33 individuals were ordered into compulsory treatment by the courts.

Viasna has compiled a report on the most significant developments in repressive practices over the past year. Among the notable trends are the escalating harassment of the LGBTQ+ community, the imposition of forced compensation for donations to civil society organizations, and an increase in the number of in absentia trials.

During February, a minimum of 656 cases of politically motivated repression (including detentions, searches, etc.) stemming from criminal and administrative prosecution were recorded. At least 352 individuals were subject to rulings in administrative cases. In particular, heightened inspections and detentions at border crossings with Belarus persisted. Additionally, reports indicate detentions following the special services gaining access to the chatbot “Belaruski Hajun.” This chatbot had been collecting data regarding the movement of Russian military equipment across the Belarusian territory and other activities related to the invasion of Ukraine.

As of the end of the month, the total number of political prisoners was 1,234. In February, human rights activists recognized 39 people as political prisoners. Additionally, 16 individuals were identified as political prisoners ex post facto upon the disclosure of information regarding their arbitrary detention.

The number of former political prisoners exceeds 2,540 people. On February 1, Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk was released after her sentence was arbitrarily extended three times under Article 411 of the Criminal Code for persistent disobedience to the demands of the prison administration. On February 12, it was reported that political prisoners Andrei Kuznechyk and Alena Maushuk were released, due to US diplomatic efforts.

Siarhei Tsikhanouski has been held incommunicado for more than 700 days. The political prisoners Maksim Znak, Mikalai Statkevich, Ihar Losik, Viktar Babaryka, Uladzimir Kniha, Mikalai Bankou, Andrei Navitski, Aliaksandr Aranovich, and Aliaksandr Frantskevich are also known to have been held in prolonged incommunicado detention. The complete absence of any information about some of them suggests that they are victims of enforced disappearance. Maryia Kalesnikava was reportedly transferred from solitary confinement to the general population, which may mean the end of incommunicado detention.

Political prisoners continue to be subjected to punishment cell time as a means of pressure. Detention in a punishment cell means a regime of isolation and inhumane conditions. In February, it was revealed that political prisoners Dzianis Ivashyn—reportedly for speaking Belarusian—and Alena Hnauk and Viktoryia Kulsha were placed in a punishment cell. Earlier reports had also indicated that the administration of Women’s Correctional Facility No. 24 had been exerting pressure on the women. Dzianis Salmanovich spent more than two months in the punishment cell from November to February.

There are 53 known political prisoners facing charges of “persistent disobedience to the demands of the prison administration,” which are brought against prisoners for the aggregate of disciplinary penalties (Article 411 of the Criminal Code). At least eight political prisoners continue to serve sentences related to these charges.

A new criminal case has been opened against political prisoner Kiryl Vevel, who was sentenced to three years in prison. He is charged with “participation in an extremist formation.”

At least 37 foreign nationals are among the political prisoners. In February, the criminal trials of Japanese citizen Nakanishi Masatoshi, Armenian citizen Yervand Martirosyan, and Latvian citizen Jurijs Ganins continued.

According to BAJ, political prisoner Andrei Tolchyn, who was released on a pardon in March 2024, was arrested again at the end of 2024. Viasna HRC Homieĺ chapter learned that on December 5, he was sentenced for “distributing extremist content” (Article 19.11 of the Administrative Violations Code). It is known that after serving his time, Andrei was released from the hospital, not from the detention center.

Amnesty Polska launched a campaign in solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners #BiegamDobrze as part of a marathon in Warsaw in March.

Persecution of human rights defenders

Human rights defenders from Viasna, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic, Uladzimir Labkovich, Marfa Rabkova, and volunteer Andrei Chapiuk, remain in detention. Nasta Loika, a member of Human Constanta, remains imprisoned.

On the occasion of the anniversary of the sentencing of Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic, and Uladzimir Labkovich, Belarusian human rights organizations have issued a joint statement with an appeal to the international community and a demand to the Belarusian authorities to do everything possible to ensure the unconditional release and rehabilitation of all political prisoners in Belarus.

Lack of fair trial in politically motivated cases

Courts continue to aggressively pursue politically motivated convictions, with most criminal cases still involving participating in peaceful protests following the 2020 presidential election. In February, criminal cases against at least 304 defendants stood trial, and at least 352 administrative cases were decided. It should be noted that the authorities are careful to conceal any quantitative data on the extent of politically motivated criminal and administrative prosecutions.

The number of politically motivated trials in absentia is rising, along with a growing trend of using special proceedings against individuals who are not in the public spotlight.

Law No. 61-Z of February 17, 2025, on Amendments to the Codes regarding Criminal Liability introduced changes to the Criminal Code, expanding the range of criminal offenses for which a preliminary investigation can be conducted through special proceedings and a sentence can be passed in absentia. The list has been expanded to include the following offenses: “incitement to racial, national, religious, or other social enmity or discord,” “rehabilitation of Nazism,” “denial of the genocide of the Belarusian people,” “discrediting the Republic of Belarus,” “insulting a public official,” “insulting and slandering the President,” “abuse of state symbols,” “act of terrorism,” “propaganda of terrorism,” “threatening to commit a terrorist act,” “financing or facilitation of terrorist activities,” “receiving training or other preparation for participation in terrorist activities,” “establishing or participating in an organization for terrorist activities,” and “organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and participating in the activities of such an organization.” All of these are mainly used to persecute Belarusians for politically motivated reasons. These innovations are likely to trigger a dramatic expansion of criminal prosecutions in absentia as a means of carrying out cross-border repression against dissenters and opponents of the regime.

Belarusians continue to face massive persecution for any support and expression of solidarity with Ukraine for three years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As of February 24, 2025, at least 41 people have been convicted of making donations to military volunteers from Belarus fighting on the side of Ukraine. At least 30 people have been convicted of intending to fight on the side of Ukraine. At least 93 people have been convicted of leaking photos and videos of Russian military equipment to the media.

Ukrainians in Belarus have been the target of active persecution since the beginning of the full-scale war. Upon entering Belarus, they are closely searched and interrogated by special services, and some are denied entry without explanation. Some Ukrainians are prosecuted for “agent activity,” “attempted sabotage,” and “espionage.” To date, at least 13 citizens of Ukraine have been convicted in Belarus.

Violation of the right to equal treatment and non-discrimination

The Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has issued a statement regarding the ninth periodic report of Belarus. CEDAW expressed concern over the absence of comprehensive legislation on gender equality and anti-discrimination laws in Belarus. The Committee has observed the severe repression of women’s rights defenders, political activists, and journalists, as well as the inhumane conditions of their detention. CEDAW called for the review of criminal cases and the release of women whose imprisonment threatened their health or lives.

The ongoing persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals remains a concern. On February 7, 2025, the Council of Ministers approved amendments to the Law on the Rights of the Child in the first reading. These amendments include strict restrictions on the dissemination of information about LGBTQ+ topics. The proposed changes include prohibiting “propaganda of homosexual relations, sex reassignment, pedophilia, and childlessness.” Information deemed “harmful to the health and development of children” will be labeled by age category. This effectively denies adolescents and young people access to it.

In February, details emerged regarding the legal proceedings against a transgender individual who reportedly experienced mistreatment by law enforcement officers in July 2024.

The reported detention of Dzianis Ivashyn in a punishment cell for using the Belarusian language is an example of linguistic discrimination aimed at displacing national identity and forced Russianisation. This case exemplifies the restrictive policies enacted by the authorities against Belarusian-speaking citizens.

Torture and inhumane treatment 

Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, a former political prisoner released in February from Correctional Facility No. 24, provided insights on the conditions of detention in the facility and the repression of female political prisoners. She highlighted the aggressive tactics employed by the prison administration against political prisoners Viktoryia Kulsha, Alena Hnauk, and Volha Mayorava and confirmed instances of physical abuse against Katsiaryna Bakhvalava.

Nikolai Shugaev, a U.S. citizen who was released in February, lost 20 kilograms of weight during his imprisonment, which demonstrates the harsh and inhumane conditions of imprisonment in detention centers in Belarus.

Viasna interviewed four Belarusians convicted in administrative cases from late 2024 to early 2025, inquiring about the detention conditions for “political” detainees in various cities across Belarus. They described the forced nudity during inspections, administration of injections through “feeders,” and torture by cold in police department cells. They also outlined the methods of torture used by the KGB and the GUBOPiK political police.

The International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB), an organization Viasna belongs to, has submitted pertinent evidence and meticulous legal analysis to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The submitted materials will be thoroughly reviewed to determine the Court’s jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes against humanity. These crimes include deportation, persecution, and other inhumane acts that Belarusian high-ranking officials have committed since May 1, 2020. It has been noted that the Platform’s database contains a wealth of documentation, including more than 29,000 documents related to 2,600 interviewees and over one million archives from open sources;

Violation of the freedom of peaceful assembly. Suppression of freedom of expression

The practice of arbitrary detention and imprisonment for expressing opinions and/or participating in mass protests in connection with disagreement with the outcome of the 2020 elections is still in effect.

At least 15 individuals have been convicted of crimes under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of or active participation in actions that grossly disrupt public order). 

Convicting whole families continues to trend. Politically motivated prosecutions often involve entire families or groups of relatives, who are prosecuted primarily under Article 342 of the Criminal Code. On February 24, the Hrodna Regional Court reviewed the criminal case against Leanid and Antanina Tserabeis under five articles of the Criminal Code: part 1 of Article 368 (insulting A. Lukashenka), Article 342 part 1 (active participation in actions that grossly disrupt public order), Article 130 part 1 (inciting other social discord), Article 367 part 2 (slandering A. Lukashenka), and Article 370 (abuse of state symbols). Antanina was sentenced to two years of home confinement. Leanid got three years in prison. The outcome confirms that the Belarusian judiciary lost independence. After the arrest, pro-government channels reported that Antanina would likely receive a non-custodial sentence, but “the head of the family will end up in jail.” 

On February 25, the Kobryn District Court began consideration of the criminal case under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code on charges against two brothers and a couple: Viktar Tsikhanenka and Illia Tsikhanenka, Dzmitriy Kubaretski and Natallia Kubaretskaya. 

It is still not uncommon for individuals to face legal consequences for exercising their right to free speech. For instance, Karyna Pratashchyk, a 29-year-old, was sentenced to two years in prison. The court found her guilty under Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code (calls for actions harming Belarus) for encouraging sanctions.

There are ongoing violations of the principle of publicity as criminal cases continue to be handled in a closed manner.

Thus, on February 25, the Mazyr District Court scheduled the hearing of a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code against Anastasia Akhramenka for “slandering A. Lukashenka”. 

On February 26, the Mazyr District Court began a closed trial for 62-year-old Ihar Shukanau, an informatics and communications laboratory employee at the Mazyr Oil Refinery. He is charged under two articles: part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code for “defaming A. Lukashenka” and part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code for “actively participating in actions that grossly disrupt public order.” On August 1, 2024, Ihar Shukanau was arrested right at his workplace in an exemplary cruel manner: he was taken outside the factory and beaten. The video of the detention was posted on pro-government channels and showed physical injuries in the form of a large hematoma and severed skin above the right eyebrow.

Violation of the rights of journalists, media workers and bloggers 

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, at the end of February 2025, 41 media representatives are behind bars. 

According to RSF and BAJ, 397 journalists have been subjected to 589 unjustified arrests since the start of the 2020 election campaign. Some of them have been detained more than once.

On February 21, Minsk City Court began considering the case against Ihar Ilyash, who is charged with “discrediting Belarus” (Article 369-1 of the Criminal Code) and “promoting extremist activities” (Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code).

In February, the prosecution in absentia continued. On February 26, the criminal case against Siarhei Biaspalau, a blogger and creator of the “Maja Kraina Belarus” Telegram channel, was scheduled to be considered under special proceedings. He is accused of committing 10 crimes, including those under Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code (calling for sanctions), Part 1 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (creating or participating in an extremist formation), Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code (slandering A. Lukashenka), Part 2 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code (insulting A. Lukashenka).  

The criminal case against Palina Pitkevich is scheduled for a hearing on March 7. She is accused of committing a crime under Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (creating or participating in an extremist formation). In June 2024, the KGB pointed out Palina Pitkevich’s involvement with the recognized extremist formation MediaIQ, the Press Club media literacy project. The political prisoner, who used to write about culture and help homeless animals, was arrested and detained.

Violation of rights and freedoms under the pretext of combating extremism and terrorism

The Belarusian authorities are using the anti-extremism and anti-terrorism legislation as an instrument of politically motivated persecution for the exercise of civil and political rights.

Authorities added two more to the list of extremist organizations in February. The new entities include the popular online publication Mediazona. Belarus.

In February, 90 individuals were added to the List of Citizens of the Republic of Belarus, Foreign Citizens, or Stateless Persons Involved in Extremist Activities. The list contains the names of 4,990 people in total; some of those who were sentenced for political reasons are not on the list.

In February, the courts issued 141 new rulings on recognizing information products as extremist content. Most of these rulings pertain to protest information resources, books, and songs, which have been added to the relevant list. Among the newly recognized extremist products, a small number are information resources with neo-Nazi content in their publications.

The compilation of lists of individuals involved in extremist and terrorist activities, as well as lists of prohibited information products and extremist organizations, serves as a foundation for repression, persecution, and restrictions on rights.

Thus, in the fall of 2022, political prisoner Aliaksandr Ziyazetdzinau was sentenced to three years of imprisonment under Part 1 of Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code (financing extremist activity) over transferring cryptocurrency to BYPOL. In mid-October 2023, he appeared in a propaganda film revealing that he had made amends for the newly discovered criminal action and had applied for a pardon. However, in February 2024, the Minsk City Court initiated the adjudication of a new criminal case under Part 1 of Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code (financing extremist activity) and Part 2 of Article 290-1 of the Criminal Code (financing of terrorist activities). He was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment by Judge Alena Shylko.

On February 11, the Minsk regional court found 60-year-old political prisoner Natallia Ladutska guilty of “promoting extremist activities” and sentenced her to four years in prison and a fine of $7,345.