{"id":112313,"date":"2024-11-01T20:35:06","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T17:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/112313\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"un-experts-concerned-over-reports-of-ill-treatment-in-belarusian-prisons","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/112313\/","title":{"rendered":"UN experts concerned over reports of ill-treatment in Belarusian prisons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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November 1, Pozirk<\/em><\/strong>. A group of United Nations experts sent another appeal to the authorities in Minsk yesterday, expressing concerns over continuing reports of ill-treatment of jailed regime critics in Belarusian prisons, the UN Human Rights Office reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They noted denial of medical care, \u201cprolonged\u00a0incommunicado\u00a0detentions, which in some cases could amount to enforced disappearances\u201d as well as disproportionate restrictions of former inmates’ rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several jailed persons have been denied access to the outside world since early 2023, the experts noted in an apparent reference to Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka’s opponents serving lengthy prison terms, including former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka and his campaign manager Maryja Kale\u015bnikava.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe situation of some inmates belonging to the political opposition, of human rights defenders and political activists, many of whom have been convicted on extremism and terrorism-related charges, is extremely alarming,\u201d the appeal said. “It is feared some may have been subjected to life-threatening conditions following a drastic decline in health while detained.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though the recent amnesty and pardon program led to the early release of dozens of opposition activists, many still are held behind bars after being convicted without fair trial for exercising their civil and political rights, including dozens of seniors, the experts noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian judges keep passing new unfair sentences, while jailed activists risk extended prison terms for alleged disobedience to prison authorities, they added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts urged Minsk to provide information on the health status, fate and whereabouts of jailed politicians, investigate allegations of ill-treatment and pardon seniors jailed in politically-motivated cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of November 1, human rights defenders identified at least 1,299 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented. Opposition sources estimate the number of political prisoners at around 5,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cichano\u016dskaja expects UN support on political prisoners<\/h3>\n
October 11, Pozirk. "We look forward to the United Nations' support in freeing political prisoners, ending repression and holding the regime accountable for crimes against the people," opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja told Pozirk. Earlier today, the UN Human Rights Council …<\/div>\n \n