A group of independent UN human rights experts has issued an urgent appeal for the release of political detainees with disabilities and serious health conditions in Belarus. The call, made on May 5, follows mounting concerns over inhumane detention conditions, lack of medical care, and deliberate mistreatment of prisoners linked to the 2020 presidential elections.
Alarming Conditions in Belarusian Prisons
According to human rights organization Viasna, at least 219 high-risk political prisoners remain incarcerated, 78 of whom suffer from chronic and acute diseases. The experts specifically highlighted the cases of Andrei Navitski and Dzianis Salmanovich, both detained since 2021. Navitski was convicted for violating public order and insulting the president during a peaceful protest, while Salmanovich was charged with terrorism for producing films for the Cyber Partisans civil initiative.
The experts warned that continued detention under current conditions could cause irreversible harm to these individuals. Reports indicate that many detainees are denied proper medical treatment, with some subjected to forced labor and psychological abuse.
Legal and International Protections
Belarus ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2016, which guarantees dignity and protection for persons with disabilities. Additionally, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) prohibits inhumane or degrading treatment under Article 7.
Despite these legal frameworks, Belarus has continued its crackdown on political dissent, with 6,830 convictions in political cases recorded since 2020. In February 2025, UN experts accused the Lukashenko government of committing human rights violations that may amount to crimes against humanity.
Global Calls for Action
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has urged Belarus to immediately release detainees or impose non-custodial sanctions for those with disabilities. The experts also called for an end to incommunicado detentions, which prevent prisoners from contacting their families, increasing the risk of enforced disappearances.
With Belarus’s latest presidential elections held on January 26, 2025, international pressure continues to mount on President Aleksandr Lukashenko to halt political repression and uphold human rights.
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