Rights activists declare 12 political prisoners

June 21, BPN. Belarusian human rights activists have declared 12 people political prisoners, stating that security forces use anti-extremism laws to restrict the rights to association and freedom of expression

The Viasna Human Rights Center, Belarusian Helsinki Committee and other organizations have demanded that all political prisoners be released and reprisals be stopped.

Viasna has documented 1,501 political prisoners as of today, including the new additions.

They are:

1. Rusłan Zavadzič
2. Mikałaj Bańkoŭ
3. Alaksiej Arłoŭ
4. Andrej Ramanovič
5. Uładzisłaŭ Savicki
6. Taćciana Pyćko
7. Vital Čarnavusaŭ
8. Andrej Prymaka
9. Alesia Šapkina
10. Dźmitryj Šaŭčenka
11. Uładzimir Tyčynski
12. Jaŭhien Parchomienka