Human rights groups demand freedom for 1,525 political prisoners

May 19, BPN. Belarusian human rights groups have recognized 28 people, including 16 women, as political prisoners, according to a joint statement on the website of the Viasna Human Rights Center. Currently, a record 1,525 people in Belarus carry this status at the same time.

The new political prisoners include those accused or convicted of public order offences: musician Mikita Najdzionaŭ and nurse Hanna Huzava, as well as Anastasija Dułhieru, Dźmitryj Mickievič, Alena Mickievič, Uładzisłaŭ Dubroŭski, Ihar Budnik, Siarhiej Dzieščyc, Dzianis Niadbajnik, Ihar Sabaleŭski, Śviatłana Sabaleŭskaja, Palina Pačapskaja, Volha Kołas, Palina Savič, Maryja Niekraševič, Taćciana Niekraševič, Złata Filipienka, Iryna Savič, Śviatłana Kasinskaja, Maryjana Chadasievič, Valeryja Bajarovič, Dźmitryj Bajarovič, Vital Prynieślik, Uładzisłaŭ Adamuška and Volha Mackievič.

Juryj Brejva (accused of disturbing public order and insulting the head of state), Taćciana Radčanka (defamation, insulting the head of state and state officials) and Alaksandr Zachožy (disturbing public order, libeling the head of state, insulting the head of state and a judge) received the same status.

The human rights groups say peaceful assembly is a right. Only legal and necessary restrictions are allowed. They reject Belarus’ election results as undemocratic and rigged. Post-election protests “were spontaneous and self-organized,” their statement reads. They want all political prisoners and protesters freed and reprisals stopped.

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