Viasna documents more than 500 instances of politically-motivated persecution in January
A stand highlighting the plight of Belarusian political prisoners put up in Warsaw in 2024
February 5, Pozirk. Viasna recorded at least 506 instances of politically-motivated persecution in Belarus in January, the human rights center said in its monthly report.
It emphasized that “the deep human rights crisis determined the context of the fake presidential election in Belarus: Alaksandar Łukašenka extended his rule and continues to retain state power.”
“The monitoring of all stages of the election campaign conducted by the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections allows us to conclude that the presidential election held on January 26 did not meet international standards for democratic and free elections, and was accompanied by numerous violations of the electoral legislation of the Republic of Belarus. Did not just the authorities exert administrative control over all stages of the electoral process, they organized them to simulate broad popular support for Alaksandar Łukašenka and keep him in power,” the report said.
At least 7,915 people have been subjected to criminal prosecution for political reasons since 2020, Viasna said.
At least 11 political prisoners have been held incommunicado for months, or even years: Maksim Znak (since February 8, 2023), Mikałaj Statkievič (since February 10, 2023), Maryja Kaleśnikava (since February 15, 2023), Ihar Łosik (since February 20, 2023), Siarhiej Cichanoŭski (since March 9, 2023), Viktar Babaryka (since April 26, 2023), Uładzimir Kniha (since September 5, 2023), Mikałaj Bańkoŭ (since December 2023), Andrej Navicki (since April 2024), Alaksandar Aranovič (since June 6, 2024) and Alaksandar Franckievič (since October 2024).
For two months, there has been no contact with political prisoner Dzianis Salmanovič, serving a 10-year sentence at the Vićba’s penal colony. There is no information about his condition or whereabouts.
Reprisals: ex-EY partner awaiting trial over politics
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