Appeal for the Release of Imprisoned Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Belarus
On August 9, 2020, the Republic of Belarus held its presidential elections. Ukraine, along with many other democratic countries, did not recognize these elections as fair and democratic. Since then, the country has witnessed mass political repressions of tens of thousands of civilians, which continues to this day.
In light of this, the Center for Civil Liberties has decided to appeal to the countries of the democratic world, demanding for the implementation of all possible concrete steps to secure the release of Nobel laureate and Head of the Human Rights Center ‘Viasna,’ Ales Bialiatski, as well as other human rights defenders and journalists who are currently unlawfully imprisoned solely for carrying out their work.
To the countries of the democratic world
The Appeal
Center for Civil Liberties, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, is addressing you to sincerely urge you to take all necessary actions to secure the release of Nobel laureate and Head of the Human Rights Center ‘Viasna,’ Ales Bialiatski, as well as other human rights defenders and journalists who are currently imprisoned in Belarus under unlawful conditions.
On August 9, 2020, the Republic of Belarus held its presidential elections. Ukraine, along with many other democratic countries, did not recognize these elections as fair and democratic. Since then, the country has experienced mass political repressions of tens of thousands of civilians, which continues to this day.
Since 2020, thousands of civilians have been wrongfully incarcerated in Belarus, the majority of whom received absolutely unjustified criminal penalties for expressing their views or carrying out their professional duties. According to the Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’, there are at least 1,394 political prisoners in Belarus. Although there is knowledge of secret trials taking place, the fate of those convicted remains unknown.
The head of the Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ Ales Bialiatski is currently serving a second prison sentence related to his human rights work. In 2022, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to human rights work. Bialiatski was detained in July 2021 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His trial was conducted with complete disregard for international human rights standards, with charges including engagement in human rights advocacy activities.
Additionally, five other Belarusian human rights defenders are currently in wrongful captivity: four members of the Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ (Valiantsin Stefanovic, Uladzimir Labkovich, Marfa Rabkova, and Andrei Chapiuk), and well-known human rights activist Anastasiya Loika.
In addition to human rights defenders, 37 journalists remain imprisoned for their professional work. Some of these journalists are from international news organizations such as “Radio Free Europe”, “Belsat”, and “Deutsche Welle”, as well as journalists from national and local independent Belarusian media outlets. Their only “crime” was their commitment to honestly reporting the events surrounding the 2020 presidential elections.
Every single one of these individuals did not commit any acts that would be deemed a crime in democratic countries. They carried out their work for the sake of protecting human rights and upholding democratic values.
The democratic world cannot be passive in the face of these events, as these people are sacrificing their lives for the principles of democracy. We urgently call for decisive and necessary actions to secure the release of individuals who bravely stood up against tyranny in the name of essential ideals despite facing severe threats from an authoritarian regime.
Democracy exists thanks to the people who are capable of fighting and protecting its values. Therefore, it is crucial to protect such people.
