Human rights groups label 12 political prisoners

February 28, BPN. Belarusian human rights organizations have declared 12 people political prisoners, the Viasna Human Rights Center said on its website on February 28.

Jaŭhien Emilit, Maksim Sambras, Vadzim Pinžakoŭ, Dźmitryj Hapaniuk, Alaksandra Zacharyk, Valeryja Paciaruchina, Andrej Mamojka, Viera Mamojka, Jaŭhien Radkievič, Andrej Filipčyk, Alaksiej Dužy and Taćciana Dubatoŭka were charged with gross violations of public order.

“We consider the persecution of these people, who were arrested and accused of collective action grossly disturbing public order as they exercised their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression over the announced presidential election results, to be politically motivated, and recognize them as political prisoners,” the declaration reads.

It was signed by Viasna, Belarusian PEN, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Lawtrend, the Belarusian Association of Journalists and Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House.

The organizations demanded that these and other politcal prisoners should be freed.

A total of 1,463 political prisoners have been registered in Belarus. 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.