Nine names added to list of political prisoners in Belarus

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

March 15, 2022

In connection with information about charges, detention, and sentencing under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code ("Group actions that grossly violate public order") against Aliaksandr Antaniuk, Vasil Tsialenchanka, Dziyana Vashchylina, Anastasiya Kukhta, Marharyta Blashko, Anton Koshchanka, Volha Tomina, directions for serving a sentence of restraint of liberty under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code to the penitentiary Vadzim Siamionau and Uladzimir Harbavets, reaffirming the position set out in the joint statement of the human rights community of August 10, 2020, we note the following:

Freedom of peaceful assembly is guaranteed by Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This freedom is not subject to any restrictions other than those established by law and necessary in a democratic society for the purposes of national and public security, public order, public health, and morals, or the protection of the rights, and freedoms of others.

The post-election protests were spontaneous, self-organized, and were caused by distrust of the results of the August 9, 2020, presidential election, which was marred by numerous violations and fraud and was not recognized by the international community as democratic, fair, and free.

The meetings were peaceful and did not pose a threat to national or public security. Despite this, the demonstrators were attacked by special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who used disproportionate violence, riot gear, and non-lethal weapons.

For the first time in the history of Belarus, rubber bullets and water cannons were used against peaceful demonstrators. A particularly large amount of damage was inflicted by the use of stun grenades.

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

We assess the persecution of the above-mentioned individuals as politically motivated, as it is related solely to their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression in the post-election period and recognize them as political prisoners.

We also note that in the midst of a profound human rights crisis, it is unacceptable to use the tools of criminal prosecution to further restrict freedom of expression.

In this regard, we call on the Belarusian authorities to:

• Immediately release Aliaksandr Antaniuk, Vasil Tsialenchanka, Dziyana Vashchylina, Anastasiya Kukhta, Marharyta Blashko, Anton Koshchanka, Volha Tomina, Vadzim Siamionau, Uladzimir Harbavets and stop their criminal prosecution.
• Immediately release all political prisoners, as well as other individuals detained in connection with their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly in the post-election period, reconsider politically motivated cases, and stop political repression in the country.

Human Rights Center Viasna

PEN Belarus