Rights defender sounds alarm over inadequate medical care in prisons

May 15, Pozirk. Deaths in penal colonies and shortly after release indicate systemic problems in the provision of medical care for inmates, Pavieł Sapiełka, a lawyer with the Viasna Human Rights Center, said commenting on reports of the deaths of two ex-prisoners.
Hanna Kandracienka, 39, and Tamara Karavaj, 45, both persecuted on charges widely seen as politically motivated, died within months of their release.
Kandracienka had been held at a penal colony despite her cancer diagnosis, Sapiełka said, noting that a lack of proper medical care can be considered as torture or ill-treatment.
“The authorities are obliged to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of all prisoners,” he added. “If a serious illness, such as cancer, is detected, the necessary medical care should be provided, including the possibility of inpatient treatment at specialized facilities.”
Detention conditions, insufficient medical care and psychological pressure negatively affect the physical and mental state of prisoners, the activist noted.
Arbitrary detention in a penal colony for political reasons can be interpreted as “a crime against humanity,” Sapiełka stressed. “Each death of a political prisoner is something that adds up to the charges against those responsible for their persecution, arbitrary sentencing, detention in colonies and prisons, including those responsible for the health of prisoners.”
This spring, rights groups identified at least 219 high-risk inmates convicted in politically-motivated cases, including seniors and people with serious illnesses, disabilities and mental disorders.
As of May 15, human rights defenders identified at least 1,175 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented.

Woman prosecuted for social media like dies shortly after release
- PoliticsOver 8,900 face politically-motivated charges in Belarus since 2020 – ViasnaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyRosatom eyes energy storage projects in Belarus, other CIS countriesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsExiled Belarusian pro-democracy parties plan joint office in VilniusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsOfficial calls for review of equipment export strategy amid tight competition in RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEDB links Belarus’ reserve growth to gold price surgeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja to address socialist congressThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPartyzanka: Poland removes deadline for asylum consideration until March 4The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security, SocietyInvestigation sheds light on military-patriotic clubs’ agendaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietySuspected contraband balloons disrupt Vilnius Airport, affecting 6,000 passengersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka, Rahmon discuss ties in birthday callThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsProtesters demand Germany punish former regime wardenThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInternational deals to be signed during sultan’s visit to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja’s France visit announcedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityZelensky addresses Russian gas shortages, mentions BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, SecurityUkrainian justice ministry initiates sanctions against HomsielmašThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka: Kamvol is in debt and not operatingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja: Europe must be united to protect democracyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights defenders call for investigative group on Belarus crimesThe material is available only to POZIRK+