Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Amnesty International: Human Rights Still Violated In Belarus

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Amnesty International: Human Rights Still Violated In Belarus
Legislative amendments targeting the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly were further restricted in Belarus, Amnesty International’s regional overview of Eastern Europe and Central Asia in 2019 reads.

The report highlights the fact that Belarus remained the sole executioner in Europe and the former Soviet region, passing three death sentences and executing at least three prisoners.

The document shed light on the situation with death penalty, freedom of expression, assembly, association, justice system, discrimination, as well as the rights of migrants and asylum seekers.


Heavily reliant on Russia

“Belarus remained heavily reliant economically on Russia, while tensions persisted over the price of imported commodities and Belarus’ resistance to further integration that could threaten its sovereignty.”

The experts note that parliamentary elections in November showed low turnout and resulted in a parliament entirely loyal to the president. They were widely criticized by independent local and international observers for failing to uphold democratic standards.

Numerous candidates regarded as disloyal to the regime were disqualified on questionable technical grounds, and all allegations of vote-rigging were ignored.


Persecution of the opposition

Freedom of expression continued to be severely restricted in law and in practice. Government critics and other dissenting voices faced harassment and other reprisals from the authorities, including in administrative and criminal proceedings.

The authors recalled the changes to the law on mass media which considerably tightened state control over online media. It obliged media outlets to record the names of people who submit comments and disclose the information to the authorities on request.

“In 2019, people in Europe and Central Asia were threatened, intimidated, prosecuted, subjected to excessive use of force by police, and suffered discrimination. However, the grassroots mobilization of courageous people who dared to stand up and hold states accountable provides a ray of hope for the future,” Marie Struthers, Europe Director at Amnesty International, says.

It also made the owners of registered online media liable for the content of the comments. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly remained restricted, in law and practice, and those who attempted to exercise it faced arrest by police, heavy fines and arbitrary detention.


Juvenile justice and fair trials

Credible evidence surfaced about hundreds of children and young people serving lengthy prison sentences for minor, non-violent drug-related offences. Among these, dozens and possibly hundreds were serving lengthy sentences for minor, non-violent drug-related offences committed when they were children. Many did not receive fair trials.


Discrimination

Amnesty International also notes that several vulnerable minority groups– the Roma community and LGBTI people – continued to face discrimination and inadequate protection before the law, leading to a climate of fear and selfcensorship.