HRC57 Side Event - Give a voice to the victims – political prisoners in Belarus and their future
The human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate. As outlined by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus Ms. Anais Marin in recent reports, repressive measures target Belarusian citizens inside and outside the country, affecting a broad spectrum of human rights.
UN experts have urged the Belarusian authorities to pardon or remit the sentence of all imprisoned persons jailed on politically motivated charges. Several detainees have been subjected to compulsory psychiatric care, they suffer chronic diseases, acute or grave illnesses. The list includes persons with disabilities.
On 3 February 2023, High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Volker Türk concluded that some of the violations may amount to crimes against humanity, as defined in international customary law. On 20 March 2024, he reported that the Government of Belarus may have committed "the crime against humanity of persecution." Unfortunately, the High Commissioner also said, there remains no reasonable expectation that justice will be delivered for human rights violations committed in Belarus by current Belarusian authorities.
The repression of those who express opposition to the regime in Belarus persists, with the level of criminal prosecution remaining at an alarmingly high rate. As of 12 September 2024, there are 1,347 individuals recognized as incarcerated on politically motivated grounds.
Political prisoners are prevented from communicating with their families and lawyers. Many bloggers, businessmen, presidential campaign members and peaceful protesters are held in prisons only because they were not afraid to exercise their right to peaceful assembly, to express their opinion and to be involved in political activities. Most of these people were targeted through politically motivated criminal prosecutions in connection with the events that took place during and after the presidential election of August 2020.
Continued persecution of human rights defenders, torture and ill-treatment, lack of fair trial in politically motivated cases, violations of the freedoms of association and peaceful assembly, suppression of freedom of expression, harassment of journalists and media workers, violation of rights and freedoms under the pretext of combating extremism and terrorism - these are not just terms. These are real threats and often involve violations of human rights and undermining the enjoyment of the right to life and dignity of ordinary Belarusians.
We invite international community to continue discussion with prominent civil society organizations, to listen to their needs and find ways to deliver justice.
Speakers:
Ms. Viktoryia Palchys, wife of political prisoner
Ms. Alana Gebremariam, human rights activist, former political prisoner & former youth representative at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya office, member of the Coordination Council
Organized by Lithuania, co-sponsored by Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, EU Delegation, Finland, France, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States of America