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Human rights defenders condemn decision to transfer Zmitser Dashkevich to cell-type prison

 

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and a Belarusian human rights organization called Vyasna have condemned a decision to transfer opposition politician Zmitser Dashkevich to a cell-type correctional institution.

In a trial that took place in Correctional Institution No. 20 in Mazyr, Homyel region, behind closed doors, the judge of the Mazyr District and City Court found the 31-year-old Dashkevich guilty of persistent violation of prison rules and ruled that he serve the rest of his term in a high-security prison.

Such incarceration sees Mr. Dashkevich sent to a prison where conditions are even harsher, including confinement to his cell 24 hours a day, FIDH and Vyasna say in a joint statement.

"FIDH and Viasna [Vyasna] believe these decisions to be part of a general repressive trend in Belarus," the statement says. "They also consider this to be yet another episode of harassment against civil society, aimed at silencing the regime's opponents and subjecting them to ever increasing pressure. Mozyr [Mazyr] District Court's decision brings the total number of political prisoners sent to prisons with extremely severe and restrictive conditions to four."

The two organizations urge the Belarusian authorities to end all harassment of Mr. Dashkevich and immediately and unconditionally release him and all other political prisoners in Belarus, the statement says. //BelaPAN