Katsiaryna Novikava, a political prisoner in Belarus, recently revealed the harsh realities of the country’s prison system by smuggling out her story written on pieces of toilet paper. Novikava described being repeatedly beaten by security forces after she was detained in June 2023 wearing only a nightshirt. Belarus, ruled by authoritarian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, has seen mass protests since his controversial re-election in August 2020, with more than 35,000 people detained by authorities. Novikava, who participated in opposition protests, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison in January and has not been receiving the required medical attention after being beaten.
While most political prisoners in Belarus are kept in solitary confinement, Novikava was kept in the same cell as Marina Zolatava, editor-in-chief of Tut.by, the country’s largest independent online news outlet, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Novikava’s messages, detailing the difficult conditions she faces, should be investigated by the U.N. Committee Against Torture, according to Viasna. Key Belarusian political figures such as Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kolesnikova, Mikola Statkevich, and Maxim Znak have also been held in similar conditions, with no contact for more than a year. Currently, there are 1,385 political prisoners in Belarus, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, and at least six political prisoners have died behind bars.
According to Pavel Sapelka of Viasna, human rights advocates are documenting torture and illegal treatment of prisoners in Belarus so consistently that the country is rapidly becoming a black hole in Europe. Belarusian authorities have been accused of systemic bullying, beatings, denial of medical care, and information isolation, constituting torture of political prisoners. Despite calls for investigation and concern from international organizations, including the U.N. Committee Against Torture, the situation for political prisoners in Belarus remains dire. The lack of transparency and accountability within the Belarusian prison system highlights the need for change and urgent intervention to protect the rights and wellbeing of those who are unjustly detained.
The shocking revelations from Novikava’s letter shed further light on the catastrophic situation for political prisoners in Belarusian prisons, drawing attention to the widespread human rights violations and abuses occurring within the country. With the number of political prisoners increasing and reports of torture and mistreatment becoming more frequent, it is imperative that the international community takes action to hold Belarusian authorities accountable for their actions. The continued silence and lack of information on the whereabouts and conditions of many political prisoners, including prominent figures and Nobel laureates, underscores the urgent need for increased scrutiny and advocacy to protect the rights and dignity of those unjustly detained in Belarus.
Despite the efforts of human rights organizations to document and expose the abuses faced by political prisoners in Belarus, there remains a sense of helplessness and frustration as the situation continues to deteriorate. With the country rapidly descending into a black hole of repression and violence, it is essential that the international community steps up its efforts to address the crisis and ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable. The plight of political prisoners like Novikava highlights the urgent need for urgent action to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that their voices are heard amidst the chaos and brutality of Belarus’ prison system.
