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On July 16, 2025, a group of independent UN human rights experts called for immediate and impartial investigations into the deaths of political detainees in Belarus, citing a disturbing pattern of ill-treatment, medical neglect, and retaliation against dissent.
⚖️ Custodial Deaths Under Scrutiny
The experts highlighted three emblematic cases:
- Valiantsin Shtermer, a 61-year-old stroke survivor, died in Correctional Colony No. 17 in Šklou while serving a five-year sentence for criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He was reportedly denied medical care and mistreated.
- Vitold Ashurak, a 50-year-old opposition activist, died in 2021 in the same facility’s punishment isolation cell (SHIZO) after being convicted of violating public order.
- Alés Puškin, a renowned artist, died in 2023 in Prison No. 1 in Hrodna, allegedly after being denied urgent medical treatment. UN experts had previously requested an investigation, but Belarusian authorities have not responded.
The experts warned that these deaths may constitute arbitrary deprivation of life, and emphasized that such incidents must be rebutted only through transparent and credible investigations.
📜 Violations of International Law
The experts cited multiple breaches of international human rights standards:
- Article 19 of the ICCPR: Protects freedom of expression; Belarus is accused of using vague definitions of “public order” to suppress dissent.
- Article 7 of the ICCPR and Article 5 of the UDHR: Prohibit torture and inhumane treatment.
- Nelson Mandela Rules: Require humane treatment of prisoners and access to healthcare.
They also condemned Belarus’s practice of labeling political opponents as “extremists” or “terrorists”, which they argue facilitates harsh sentencing and mistreatment.
🗣️ Expert Appeal
“There are strong reasons to believe that these individuals lost their lives in retaliation for exercising their civil and political rights,” the experts stated.
They urged the UN Human Rights Council, member states, and international organizations to increase pressure on Belarus to uphold its obligations under international law and ensure accountability for custodial deaths.
Excerpts from jurist.org article by Sarisha Harikrishna | Queen’s U. Belfast School of Law, GB
You can read the full statement on the OHCHR website or explore the original report via Jurist.org.
