U.N. human rights experts have raised concerns about Pavel Kuchynski, a political prisoner in Belarus who has been diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Kuchynski, 29, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison in 2022 on charges of insulting the president and threatening violence. The experts have called on Belarusian authorities to provide Kuchynski with proper medical assistance, including the possibility of a bone marrow transplant which is currently not available to him in prison due to the harsh conditions. The appeal for Kuchynski’s well-being was signed by Anaïs Marin, the special rapporteur on human rights in Belarus.
Belarus has been cracking down on dissent following mass protests against President Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed reelection in 2020. The country has been accused of targeting opposition activists with raids and property seizures, resulting in the detention of 1,401 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Human rights organizations have reported that at least five political prisoners have died behind bars, with about 100 others suffering from serious health issues and potentially at risk of dying in prison. Pavel Sapelka from the Viasna Human Rights Center in Belarus highlighted Kuchynski’s case as an example of the harsh sentences and lack of medical care imposed by Belarusian authorities.
In light of Kuchynski’s deteriorating health condition, the U.N. experts have urged Belarusian authorities to consider granting him a pardon, remission of sentence, or an alternative form of deprivation of liberty. The experts have emphasized the need for urgent action to ensure that Kuchynski receives the necessary medical treatment to address his advanced cancer. The denial of medical assistance to political prisoners like Kuchynski is seen as a violation of their rights and a result of the harsh and inhumane conditions in Belarusian prisons. The appeal for Kuchynski’s well-being is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the plight of political prisoners in Belarus and to pressure the government to respect their rights.
The situation in Belarus is dire, with numerous political prisoners facing serious health issues and the risk of dying in prison due to the lack of medical care and harsh conditions. The crackdown on dissent by Belarusian authorities has resulted in widespread human rights violations and international condemnation. The appeal for Kuchynski’s case is part of a larger effort to hold Belarus accountable for its actions and to demand justice for all political prisoners. The U.N. experts are calling on the international community to take action and to support efforts to bring attention to the human rights abuses in Belarus and to ensure that political prisoners like Kuchynski receive the care and treatment they desperately need.
The case of Pavel Kuchynski is a stark reminder of the injustices faced by political prisoners in Belarus and the urgent need for action to protect their rights and well-being. The denial of medical assistance to Kuchynski, who has been diagnosed with advanced cancer, highlights the inhumane conditions in Belarusian prisons and the lack of regard for the health and safety of political prisoners. The appeal for Kuchynski’s release or transfer to a facility where he can receive proper medical care underscores the need for immediate intervention to prevent further harm or loss of life among political prisoners in Belarus. The international community must continue to pressure Belarusian authorities to respect human rights and to hold them accountable for their actions.
