Concept of restitution for victims of repression: rehabilitation

In the first days of the transition period, the priority will be to release political prisoners and those convicted on political grounds on criminal or administrative charges. The next step will be to address the issue of compensation for those aggrieved by the regime since July 20, 1994 – the day Lukashenka came to power. However, the rehabilitation process may be affected by the lack of information on the real number of those affected. Nevertheless, the draft Concept determines the circle of individuals who will be eligible for rehabilitation.

The draft Concept is available in Russian and Belarusian. Belarusians can share their feedback and proposals through the Telegram bot @AskOffice_Bot, email transitionaljustice@tsikhanouskaya.org, and the Google form.

Who will be eligible for rehabilitation?

• Political prisoners

Both those who have already served their sentence and those in detention at the time of the transfer of power.

• Individuals who have faced criminal persecution 

Individuals who are not listed as political prisoners by human rights organizations, or who refused to be listed as such due to fears of more pressure.

• Those subject to administrative arrest

Individuals who have served administrative arrest(s) under the Code of Administrative Offenses effective at the time of the adoption of the Act on Release.

• Victims of physical violence

People who have been deprived of life or subjected to torture and other forms of severe and inhumane treatment.

• Individuals whose rights have been restricted on political grounds

For example, those deprived of liberty, property, the right to travel, military and scientific titles, as well as the right to practice a profession or receive an education. Separate compensation is provided for those who were forced to leave Belarus, fearing persecution by the regime.

• All those who were interned in psychiatric hospitals as form of political persecution

Especially those subjected to involuntary treatment.

Behind every violation of rights is a real person whose life has been damaged. the obligation of a democratic state is to help them rehabilitate and hold perpetrators of crimes accountable.