Since 1994, Belarus has been ruled by authoritarian president Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who is the longest serving ruler in Europe. Since the widely disputed 2020 presidential election, the Belarusian government has intensified repression against opposition activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and citizens demanding democratic reform. This includes harassment, arbitrary arrests, torture, and politically motivated prosecutions. The New York City Bar Association expresses grave concern over ongoing human rights abuses in Belarus, particularly the systematic mistreatment of political prisoners under the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
I. THE RISE IN POLITICAL PRISONERS
The number of political prisoners has surged from 25 in August 2020 to over 1,384 in August 2024 – an increase of over 5,500% according to the Viasna Human Rights Centre. These prisoners include prominent figures and opposition leaders such as Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Siarhei Tsikhanouski, opposition figure and blogger; Maksim Znak, lawyer; Viktar Babaryka, presidential candidate; Mikalai Statkevich, Sakharov Prize laureate; Maryia Kalesnikava, public figure; Ihar Losik, journalist; and many others. Since May 1, 2020, over 5,500 individuals, including at least 55 children, have been arbitrarily detained and criminally convicted in unfair trials on politically motivated charges, according to the United Nations Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR).
Despite being a UN member state and signatory to the UN Convention against Torture (CAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Belarus has systematically disregarded its international obligations. Notably, the regime’s withdrawal from the ICCPR’s First Optional Protocol in 2022 further isolates Belarusian citizens from international human rights protections.
Over the past four years, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued seven opinions deeming the detention of political prisoners in Belarus unlawful and calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
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The New York City Bar Association statement on human rights violations in Belarus
