{"id":183106,"date":"2026-04-10T14:40:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T11:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/183106\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T14:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T11:40:09","slug":"viasna-denounces-passport-annulments-as-abuse-of-government-power","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/183106\/","title":{"rendered":"Viasna denounces passport annulments as abuse of government power"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

April 10, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> The Viasna Human Rights Center has denounced Minsk\u2019s decision to annul the passports of dissidents released from prison and forced into exile as \u201ca deliberate abuse of power by government agencies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement comes days after several former political prisoners discovered that Belarus\u2019 interior ministry had annulled their passports after they were allegedly pardoned by Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka on the condition that they go into exile. Dozens of former prisoners released as part of a deal between Minsk and Washington reportedly ended up in Lithuania and Poland against their will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viasna described the annulments as an \u201cadditional repressive measure\u201d in the context of transnational persecution of individuals who have already been subjected to arbitrary reprisals and unfairly punished for exercising their legal rights and freedoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organization pointed out that a key function of the state is to protect its citizens, and that passports serve as a guarantee of state protection both in Belarus and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the lack of a valid passport is not equivalent to the loss of citizenship, the resulting \u201cstatelessness\u201d undermines human dignity and prevents affected individuals from exercising many of their basic rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viasna views the arbitrary annulment of passports as part of a state policy amounting to a large-scale and systematic attack on the population and as an element of \u201ccrimes against humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organization urged international bodies and foreign governments to intensify diplomatic efforts to end practices that violate the rights of Belarusians freed through negotiations with Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several other Belarusian human rights organizations have endorsed the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minsk has labeled Belarusian human rights organizations as extremist groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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