Authorities in Belarus continue crackdown on dissent, rights group Viasna says

Published on 01/07/2025 - 19:14 GMT+2

Authorities successful Belarus are continuing their crackdown connected governmental dissent moreover arsenic they merchandise immoderate prisoners, nan country's starring authorities group told The Associated Press connected Tuesday.

Last month, nan Belarusian authorities pardoned and released 14 prisoners, but astatine slightest 60 much group were arrested connected politically motivated charges, said Pavel Sapelka, a authorities advocator pinch nan Viasna quality authorities centre.

In May, nan centre counted much than 100 politically driven arrests, Sapelka said.

"The steamroller of repressions doesn't extremity and nan authorities proceed to stifle immoderate dissent successful Belarus, opening caller high-profile cases," Sapelka said.

"No one, perfectly nary 1 tin consciousness safe successful Belarus."

Mass arrests and convictions of authorities critics successful Belarus person continued since 2020, erstwhile Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was handed a sixth word successful agency successful an predetermination that nan guidance and nan West denounced arsenic rigged.

Tens of thousands of group took to nan streets successful protest, successful nan biggest demonstrations that nan country’s ever seen.

Authorities unleashed a convulsive crackdown successful response, detaining and beating thousands and driving galore much into exile abroad.

The crackdown drew world condemnation, and nan European Union and nan United States imposed sanctions connected Minsk.

Viasna has recorded 1,174 group down bars arsenic governmental prisoners.

The number includes 38 journalists and nan group's founder, Ales Bialiatski, who won nan Nobel Peace Prize successful 2022.

At slightest 8 governmental prisoners person died successful prison.

Lukashenko, who in January secured different word successful office successful different predetermination nan guidance denounced arsenic a sham, has precocious been pardoning immoderate of nan governmental prisoners, seeking to amended ties pinch nan West.

In total, he has pardoned and freed much than 300 prisoners since July 2024, including immoderate US citizens and different foreigners.

Last month, Belarusian authorities released salient guidance fig Siarhei Tsikanouski and 13 others and brought them to Lithuania.

Their merchandise came conscionable hours aft Belarusian authorities announced that Lukashenko met pinch US President Donald Trump’s envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, successful nan superior Minsk.

But authorities advocates reason that nan business successful Belarus hasn't changed and authorities person precocious opened respective caller high-profile cases, which indicates their volition to proceed nan crackdown.

At slightest 20 group person been arrested successful nan lawsuit against Belaruski Hajun, a Belarusian activistic group that monitors troops movements successful Belarus, Sapelka said.

On Monday, Viasna besides reported nan apprehension of celebrated Belarusian signer Aleh Hamenka, who is accused of taking portion successful anti-government protests.

Another lawsuit involves sociologists from nan Wardomacki sociological investigation laboratory, according to Sapelka.

Nils Muižnieks, nan UN's typical rapporteur for quality authorities successful Belarus, precocious said that "there is nary motion of betterment successful nan quality authorities business successful Belarus and nan authorities are disregarding offers of cooperation."