UN experts have released a statement confirming that prisoners convicted of terrorism and extremism in Belarus are being held in conditions that endanger their health and lives – in complete isolation, without medical care, and with restricted contact with the outside world. These practices may amount to torture or inhuman treatment and violate the country’s international obligations.
The experts’ appeal was prompted by cases of ill-treatment of three prisoners – two women and one man – convicted on charges of terrorism and extremism. Of particular concern is the situation of one woman who was deprived of her liberty solely for publishing materials on social and political issues.
According to the UN specialists, this demonstrates a trend of using anti-terrorism and anti-extremism laws to silence critical voices and restrict freedom of expression. The experts demanded an immediate investigation into all violations and called for humane treatment of prisoners.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, welcomes the UN experts’ statement: “This is an important signal that confirms the numerous testimonies of Belarusian human rights defenders and political prisoners themselves. The Lukashenka regime must end ill-treatment in prisons, provide medical assistance, and uphold basic standards of human treatment. Today’s appeal by the experts is yet another reminder that human rights cannot be suspended under the pretext of fighting terrorism or extremism. Nor can this pretext be used to suppress dissent”.
