March 28, Pozirk. Belarusian human rights organizations have declared seven people political prisoners, bringing the total to 1,406, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.
The new additions include Aleh Dziehciarenka convicted on extremism- and terrorism-related charges as well as Alaksandar Marčanka, Natalla Haŭron, Alena Tockaja, Alena Dziemiančuk, Alesia Siarhiejenka and Julija Kraŭcova, charged with setting up extremist group, participating in its activities or financing extremism.
Authorities in Belarus have equated criticism, solidarity, advocacy, free media and free expression to extremism and terrorism.
Human rights defenders demand that Belarusian authorities immediately free all political prisoners and end politically-motivated reprisals.
A statement to this effect was signed by Viasna, Lawtrend, Human Constanta, the Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
