Belarus has come under scrutiny for its brutal prison system following the smuggling out of a political prisoner’s story written on pieces of toilet paper. Katsiaryna Novikava, 38, described being beaten by security forces after her arrest in June 2023 and shared her account through independent Belarusian media. The country has been ruled by authoritarian dictator Alexander Lukashenko and has seen mass protests following his controversial re-election in August 2020, resulting in the detention of thousands of people. Novikava, who participated in opposition protests, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for inciting hatred and interfering with an Interior Ministry employee’s work.
Novikava revealed in her writings that her health deteriorated after being beaten and that she was not receiving adequate medical attention. Despite being mostly kept in solitary confinement, she shared a cell with Marina Zolatava, editor-in-chief of the country’s largest independent news outlet who received a 12-year prison sentence. Novikava highlighted the lack of communication she experienced in prison, as letters and drawings were banned. Human rights organizations are calling for an investigation into Novikava’s messages by the U.N. Committee Against Torture, pointing out the systemic mistreatment of political prisoners in Belarusian prisons.
The situation for political prisoners in Belarus is dire, with over 1,300 individuals currently held for their opposition to the regime. Key political figures and activists have been subjected to abuse and torture during their incarceration, including Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kolesnikova, Mikola Statkevich, and Maxim Znak, who have been incommunicado for over a year. At least six political prisoners have died behind bars, raising concerns about the treatment of detainees in Belarus. The country is rapidly becoming known as a black hole in Europe due to the widespread reports of torture and human rights violations within its prison system.
The Belarusian authorities have been accused of engaging in systematic bullying, beatings, denial of medical care, and information isolation, constituting torture against political prisoners. The Belarusian Human Rights Center Viasna is urging international bodies to intervene and address the grave violations taking place in the country. Novikava’s account sheds light on the harsh realities faced by political prisoners in Belarus, where individuals are subjected to physical and psychological abuse, lack of medical attention, and isolation from the outside world. The international community has a responsibility to hold Belarus accountable for its treatment of detainees and ensure that individuals’ human rights are respected and protected.
The stories coming out of Belarus paint a grim picture of the state of human rights in the country, with political dissidents facing arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane conditions in prisons. The death of political prisoners, the lack of access to medical care, and the severe restrictions on communication highlight the urgent need for action to address the ongoing human rights crisis in Belarus. The international community, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, must pressure the Belarusian government to put an end to the mistreatment of political prisoners and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals detained for their beliefs. The case of Katsiaryna Novikava serves as a reminder of the courage and resilience of those who continue to speak out against injustice in the face of extreme adversity.
