Belarusian human rights watchdogs recognise another 19 persons as political prisoners
The number of political prisoners in Belarus has reached 121: another nineteen persons have been added to the list.
On November 5, Belarusian human rights watchdogs issued a joint statement on the back of the charges under Art. 293 of the Criminal Code (mass riots) and Art. 342 (group actions grossly violating public order)brought against Dzmitry Dubkou, Tsimur Ryzapur, Viktar Syadou, Valery Kalenchyts, Pavel Nyapeuny, Dzmitry Kanapelka, Raman Kananovich, Yauhen Prapolski, Raman Hvazdzyolka, Yury Kuzmich, Ivan Bahdzevich, Maryia Nestserava, Ihar Prazhennikau, Dzyanis Hutsin, Naksim Babich, Kiryl Paulavets, Volha Klaskouskaya, Dzyanis Dzemukh, Yauhen Dzmitryeu.
According to human rights activists, the persecution pf the persons mentioned above is politically motivated, as it is solely linked to the exercise of their freedom of peaceful assembly and expression related to the announced results of the presidential election, which allows to calling them ‘political prisoners’.
“Meetings of citizens were peaceful and did not pose a threat to national or public security. Despite this, the demonstrators were attacked by special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who used disproportionate violence, riot gear and non-lethal weapons,” the statement reads.
It should be noted that political prisoner Maksim Babich is only 17 years old. The authorities accuse the young man, along with other protesters, of blocking the road in Serabranka residential area in Minsk on October. 13. In addition, Babich has a severe health issue (cardiac defect).
Belarusian human rights defenders have called on the authorities to immediately release all political prisoners, as well as all individuals detained in connection with the exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly in the post-election period, and put an end to political repression against Belarusians.
The statement was signed by ten organisations – Human Rights Centre Viasna, FORB Initiative, Belarusian Documentation Centre, Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Legal Initiative, Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House, Centre for Legal Transformation ‘Lawtrend’, PEN Belarus, Belarusian Association of Journalists.
