Human Rights Activists Recognized 12 More People as Political Prisoners

They demand an immediate end to political repressions against the citizens of Belarus.

Human rights organizations of Belarus recognized twelve more people accused under a criminal article of mass riots as political prisoners, and in a joint statement demanded their release, the website of the human rights center Viasna writes.

"In connection with the information on the presentation of charges under Article 293 of the Criminal Code ("Riots") to Siarhej Kapants, Dzianis Kireshchanka, Aliaksieji Karatkou, Stanislau Mikhailou, Alena Maushuk, Aleh Mazgou, David Mascicki, Mikalaj Sasau, Ihar Salaviej, Jahor Salaviej, Jahor Chikaliou, and Vyachaslau Shalamet, once again confirming the position outlined in the joint statement of the human rights community on August 10, 2020, we note the following:

Freedom of peaceful assembly is guaranteed by article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This freedom is not subject to any restrictions other than those established by law and necessary in democratic countries for the purposes of national and public security, public order, health and morality of the population, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

The rallies of citizens were spontaneous, self-organized, and were caused by mistrust of the elections' results, which took place on August 9, 2020, and were held with numerous violations and falsifications, were not recognized by the international community as democratic, fair, and free.

The gatherings of citizens were peaceful and did not pose a threat to either national or public security. Despite this, the demonstrators were attacked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs' special forces with disproportionate use of physical force, special equipment, and weapons.

For the first time in the history of Belarus, rubber bullets and water cannons were used against peaceful demonstrators. A particularly large amount of damage was received from the use of noise grenades.

We also consider it necessary to note that the demonstrators did not commit actions that are covered by the disposition of Article 293 of the Criminal Code and, accordingly, cannot be qualified as mass riots. The protesters did not commit arson, pogroms, did not destroy property, and did not offer armed resistance to law enforcement agencies.

We consider the persecution of Siarhej Kapants, Dzianis Kireshchanka, Aliaksieji Karatkou, Stanislau Mikhailou, Alena Maushuk, Aleh Mazgou, David Mascicki, Mikalaj Sasau, Ihar Salaviej, Jahor Salaviej, Jahor Chikaliou, and Vyachaslau Shalamet, who were accused of art. 293 of the Criminal Code ("Riots"), as politically motivated persecution in connection with the exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression of their opinion on the announced results, and recognize them as political prisoners.

In this regard, we demand from the Belarusian authorities:

1. To immediately release from custody the political prisoners Siarhej Kapants, Dzianis Kireshchanka, Aliaksieji Karatkou, Stanislau Mikhailou, Alena Maushuk, Aleh Mazgou, David Mascicki, Mikalaj Sasau, Ihar Salaviej, Jahor Salaviej, Jahor Chikaliou, and Vyachaslau Shalamet stop their prosecution.

2. To immediately release all political prisoners, as well as citizens detained in connection with the exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly in the post-election period and stop political repression against the citizens of the country."

The statement was signed by the 'Viasna' Human Rights Center, the 'FORB Initiative" partnership; the Consulting Center on Current International Practices and Their Implementation in Law "Human Constanta"; RPO "Legal Initiative"; Center for Legal Transformation Lawtrend; RPOO "Belarusian Helsinki Committee"; Belarusian PEN Center; Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; initiative group "Identity and Law."