{"id":70142,"date":"2024-02-28T14:55:10","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T11:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/70142\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"minsk-rejects-accusations-amid-reports-of-ill-treatment-of-imprisoned-opponents","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/70142\/","title":{"rendered":"Minsk rejects accusations amid reports of ill-treatment of imprisoned opponents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Belarus' political prisoners\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Pozirk)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

February 28, Pozirk<\/em>. <\/strong>The Belarusian foreign ministry has rejected the European Union\u2019s concerns about the ill-treatment of political prisoners as “unfounded accusations.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement comes amid growing concern about the health of politicians and journalists held incommunicado and in solitary confinement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusians who are serving “sentences for criminal offences, as in any EU country, are subject, without any discrimination, to the requirements of the appropriate laws on penal regime,” the foreign ministry noted. All inmates receive the necessary medical care and assistance “to the extent specified by law,” the foreign ministry added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One day earlier, UN human rights experts called on the Belarusian government to grant veteran opposition politician Ryhor Kastusio\u016d a pardon or remission of sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kastusio\u016d, 66, leader of the outlawed Belarusian Popular Front, was diagnosed with cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFailure to provide adequate medical treatment and care to detainees in critical condition violates Belarus\u2019 obligation under international human rights law to treat persons deprived of liberty with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity,\u201d their statement said. \u201cIt may even amount to torture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite his deteriorating health, the penal colony administration held Kastusio\u016d in punishment cells and the colony\u2019s internal prison. The politician could not challenge these decisions due to a \u201clack of adequate legal safeguards,\u201d the statement noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EU politicians and agencies have made similar statements about other political prisoners. At least five political prisoners have died behind bars with the latest incident reported on February 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The groundless public demands by the EU for the release of certain individuals convicted under national legislation by a competent court on criminal charges . . .  cast doubt on Europe’s true commitment to the rule of law,” the foreign ministry said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of February 28, human rights defenders identified at least 1,409 political prisoners in Belarus but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented. Opposition sources estimate the number of political prisoners at around 5,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Belarusian political prisoners are forced to wear yellow badges on their prison uniform and are referred to as \u201cpersons prone to extremism and other destructive actions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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