Statement by the human rights community of Belarus
November 23, 2024
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, the following have been placed in custody:
- Maksim Remiezaŭ on charges of financing extremist activities and participation of citizens in military conflicts under Articles 361-2 and 361-3 of the Criminal Code for donations to protest initiatives and Belarusian volunteers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- Cimur Łozka on the charge of financing terrorist activities under Article 290-1 of the Criminal Code for donating to a protest initiative;
- Michaił Fando on the charge of financing the participation of citizens in military conflicts under Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code for donations to Belarusian volunteers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- Siarhiej Skibinski on charges of facilitating extremist activities and active participation in group actions grossly violating public order under Articles 361-4 and 342 of the Criminal Code.
The court sent them for compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital:
- Askier Ałachvierdzijeŭ under Part 1 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code (participation in an armed formation or armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state, military operations, recruitment or training of persons for such participation);
- Natalla Manyła under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on the charge of facilitating extremist activities.
We recognize the named individuals as political prisoners under paragraph 3.1 (a) of the Guidelines on the Definition of “Political Prisoner”, and demand that the Belarusian authorities:
- immediately release political prisoners Maksim Remiezaŭ, Cimur Łozka, Michaił Fando, Siarhiej Skibinski, Askier Ałachvierdzijeŭ, Natalla Manyła;
- immediately release all political prisoners and stop political repression.
Human Rights Center Viasna;
Belarusian Association of Journalists;
Belarusian Helsinki Committee;
PEN Belarus.