Philosopher Uladzimir Mackievič goes on dry hunger strike in pre-trial detention center

February 15, BPN. On February 15, the philosopher Uladzimir Mackievič, who has been on hunger strike since February 4, stopped drinking water and switched to a dry hunger strike, his colleagues reported.

“As of today, Belarusian philosopher, methodologist, and social activist Uladzimir Mackievič switches to a dry hunger strike and stops drinking even water. For 11 days Uladzimir has been fighting with the only argument the system left him – his life. Mackievič’s hunger strike represents a rational despair and willingness to go to the end,” reads the message on social networks.

Another term of Mackievič’s detention expired on February 4 and he was not released. Due to the fact that his demands were not met – the preventive measure was not changed to release on his own recognisance, the investigation was not completed and the case was not sent to court with a date set for a hearing – the philosopher began a hunger strike.

The political prisoner immediately warned that at first he would drink water, but if his demands were not met, he intended to start a dry hunger strike. On February 11, Mackievič confirmed his intentions through his lawyer. “How am I feeling? Increasing weakness, the rest is as usual. Monday is a critical day: on Monday I will still be drinking water, and on Monday something may still be decided. I’m going on a dry hunger strike on Tuesday,” he said.

On February 12, Belarusian Helsinki Committee appealed to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and to the UN Special Rapporteurs regarding the case of the political prisoner and philosopher Uladzimir Mackievič.

“We asked the Special Rapporteurs to take urgent action in this case, as Uladzimir’s firm intention to begin a dry hunger strike and to keep it until his demands are met could have irreversible consequences for his life and health, especially taking into account his age,” the BHC noted. “Using the Mackievič case as an example, we highlighted the widespread practice of keeping people accused in politically motivated cases in custody for as long as possible without carrying out investigative actions. We consider it as a form of pressure and coercion of people to refuse exercising their rights, as well as participating in public or political activities.”

Mackievič was detained on August 4, 2021. He is held in pre-trial detention center No. 1 on Valadarskaha Street in Minsk. He is charged under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order).