Human rights defenders label 19 as political prisoners

October 31, BPN. Belarusian human rights defenders have recognized 19 more people as political prisoners.

Security forces arrested or convicted them over gross disturbances of public order, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

They are: Darja Łyčkoŭskaja, Anita Bakunovič, Ihar Chmara, Dźmitryj Paŭłovič, Kanstancin Šyško, Alaksandr Łyčaŭka, Sniažana Inaniec, Siarhiej Staravojtaŭ, Anton Hryń, Michaił Makaraŭ, Viktar Bojka, Dzijana Čarnušyna, Jarasłaŭ Spirydonaŭ, Vital Kirnoha, Siarhiej Alejnik, Dzianis Samkoŭ, Vasil Kamkar, Valeryja Čarnamorcava, and Ała Paŭluć.

A total of 1,353 political prisoners have been registered in Belarus. The number stands at a record high, but the real figure must be even higher because, according to activists, some political detainees cannot contact them, or do not want to for fear of repercussions.

Viasna, Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House, Belarusian PEN, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, Lawtrend and Human Constanta demanded that all political prisoners should be immediately freed and that the crackdown be stopped.