Human rights defenders note unacceptable conditions in Belarus’ prisons

June 16, BPN. Prisoners in Belarus are often held in unacceptable conditions due to overcrowding, lack of respect for personal dignity, poor hygiene and food, said the Viasna Human Rights Centre in its report on the monitoring of places of detention in Belarus in 2020-2021.

It noted cases of torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, which are not always investigated by the authorities. The group noted that criminal prosecution and execution of sentences are not separated, as both pre-trial facilities and prisons are controlled by the interior ministry.

Viasna said that political rights of prisoners are violated, adding that people held in the pre-trial detention centers are not allowed to vote in the elections.

Viasna also noted that the system of detention facilities in Belarus includes such institutions as labor treatment facilities for alcohol addicts and the closed-type educational institutions, while public control over detention facilities remains ineffective.

Human rights defenders urged the authorities to prevent torture and degrading treatment in prisons, to investigate such cases, and to ensure that prisoners can access affordable legal assistance.