Human rights defenders urge authorities to investigate prominent artist’s death

July 12, BPN. Belarusian human rights groups have issued a joint statement to urge the authorities to launch an investigation into the death of jailed prominent artist Aleś Pushkin.

The statement comes amid reports that Pushkin died because he did not receive timely medical treatment for perforated ulcer.

The Viasna Human Rights Center and its partners, citing prisoners’ accounts and recent deaths of inmates in similar circumstances, accused authorities of deliberately denying proper care to some inmates to exert pressure, condemning the practice as cruel and inhuman treatment.

The human rights defenders also expressed concern about lengthy disruptions in correspondence with some prisoners, including prominent political figures.

The statement accuses Minsk of failure to respect and protect inmates’ basic right to life.

The statement has been signed by Belarusian PEN, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Lawtrend, the Zvozkaŭ Belarusian Human Rights House, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva and several other groups.

According to MOST, the unconscious Puškin was taken to a hospital yesterday, where he died on an operating table.

Pushkin is not the first documented political prisoner to pass away. In May 2021, activist Vitold Ašurak died at the Mahiloŭ region’s penal colony under unclear circumstances. Two years later, activist and blogger Mikałaj Klimovič died at the Viciebsk region’s penal colony of heart failure. He had a heart condition that required constant medical care.

Puškin was serving a five-year sentence for insulting state symbols and inciting hatred, after investigators seized his painting of Jaŭhien Žychar, a commander of an anti-Soviet resistance group in the 1940-50s, and nationally-styled items.

His family has already received the body, Radyjo Svaboda reported. He will be buried in the village of Bobr, Minsk region.