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The “Revolving Door” of Political Prisoners in Belarus [1]

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Date: 2024-08

In August 2020, a massive prodemocracy movement spread through Belarus, ignited by the reelection of Alyaksandr Lukashenka in a fraudulent presidential poll. Peaceful protesters faced indiscriminate violence and arbitrary arrests at the hands of armed security forces, and many detainees have since been subjected to torture and other forms of violence while in custody. Four years on, Lukashenka’s regime continues to retaliate against those who dare to speak out against the regime’s abuses: as of August 2024, more than 1,395 people are being held as political prisoners, according to Belarusian rights group Viasna.

Based on recent reports, however, the number of recognized political prisoners appears to have stopped growing. But this does not mean politically motivated arrests have stopped. The regime’s pardoning of 18 political prisoners in July marked the largest release of political prisoners since 2020. Yet, that same week, roughly 25 new names were added to the list of political prisoners. To some observers, political imprisonment in Belarus appears to be turning into a revolving door, with those released simply being replaced by new detainees. In the face of this current situation, what tools does the international community have to persuade Lukashenka to release them all?

Introducing Leanid Sudalenka

Among the tens of thousands of people arrested in the months following the August 2020 election was human rights activist and leading Viasna member Leanid Sudalenka. He was imprisoned from January 2021 to July 2023 for providing legal and other assistance to protesters and their families, among other things. Following his release, Leanid fled to Lithuania. In June 2024, he was sentenced in absentia to another five years in prison on the spurious charge of “facilitating extremist activity.”

Drawing on his experience as a lawyer, human rights defender, and former political prisoner in Belarus, Leanid shared his thoughts on the recent amnesty and the overall situation of political prisoners in the country with Freedom House.

Nastassia: On July 3, 2024, human rights defenders reported the early release of 18 political prisoners. The day before, Alyaksandr Lukashenka announced this action as the liberation of “extremely ill people.” What do we know about those who were released?

Leanid: The Belarusian government has called the July prisoner release a “humanitarian amnesty.” Viasna knows that opposition politician Ryhor Kastusiou, who was released in this group, indeed has been diagnosed with serious health conditions, including cancer and heart disease. However, from what we know, the other political prisoners who were released in July were not on the "humanitarian list"—a list of over 100 political prisoners suffering from serious health problems. Unconfirmed reports suggest that most of those released had only a few months left on their prison sentences.

Nastassia: You have worked as a human rights defender for decades and are very familiar with how the regime operates. Did you expect an amnesty for political prisoners?

Leanid: In the summer of 2021, Lukashenka established a new holiday: the Day of National Unity. I wondered if the regime sought to reunite with us, the people who challenged them. Unfortunately, no significant political amnesty followed.

With rare exceptions, the only legal way for a political prisoner to be amnestied in Belarus is for that prisoner to request a pardon from Lukashenka. In my case, I was never offered the chance to ask for such a pardon because I never pled guilty.

The regime aims to make the lives of assertive prisoners as difficult as possible. Even minor infractions, like an undone button, can result in a prisoner being labeled a "repeat violator of prison rules." Such violators must wear a yellow label on their clothes, which offers an effective way for the administration to single out political prisoners. Moreover, violators are automatically excluded from potential early release. This system keeps many political prisoners from being granted amnesty.

I am relieved that July’s amnesty happened. However, many prisoners that should have been released under this amnesty, like single parents of minor children, were not. The amnesty applies to very few political prisoners because it excludes those involved in extremist and terrorist activities. Most prisoners of conscience are accused of being involved in such activities, preventing their release. At the end of the day, it all depends on the will of one person: Lukashenka.

Nastassia: This was the largest group of political prisoners to be freed in four years. What prompted the regime to let them go?

Leanid: I don‘t believe the July amnesty was due to humanitarian considerations on the part of the Lukashenka regime. With presidential elections around the corner in 2025, why would he release protesters back onto the streets? External pressure likely played a role in the regime’s decision. Due to sanctions, Polish border authorities have placed restrictions on the Belarusian chain of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Lukashenka‘s meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in July may indicate that he fears losing business connections with China. By meeting with Xi and António Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations, Lukashenka shows he is open to negotiating—which may include the release of political prisoners at home.

However, international leaders should remain vigilant. July’s so-called humanitarian amnesty was not an act of generosity toward political prisoners in poor health, but rather an attempt by the regime to appear more tolerant to an international audience. Many prisoners with serious health concerns, like Vasil Berasnieu and Kseniya Lutskina, are still behind bars. On July 5, just days after the amnesty was announced, Viasna added more than a dozen new names to the list of recognized political prisoners. What kind of amnesty is that?

Nastassia: Should international leaders discuss the release of political prisoners with Lukashenka?

Leanid: International leaders should maintain a communication channel with Lukashenka. However, Lukashenka has been in power since 1994, and he is a cunning political player. Before even considering his terms, there must be an ultimatum—all political prisoners must be released.

Democratic governments that did not recognize the 2020 elections as free and fair should remain consistent, and base their actions today on the understanding that Lukashenka is not a democratic actor, nor is his government representative of the Belarusian people. Democratic governments should also remain committed to upholding sanctions against the regime. The implementation of sanctions does have an impact: for example, Poland's assertive policies have disrupted the Lukashenka regime's trade connection with China, illustrating an effective way of putting pressure on authoritarian regimes.

Nastassia: For those outside of government positions, what can members of the international community do to promote the release of political prisoners in Belarus?

Leanid: Advocacy on behalf of political prisoners is crucial. My experiences have taught me that we must tirelessly remind the world of those arbitrarily detained. I am glad I am free, and I have dedicated myself to my incarcerated brothers and sisters. For example, I have worked to spread the word about Ales Bialiatski—the head of Viasna, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and my friend, who has been in prison since July 2021. Among other things, I once wrote an appeal to the French president asking the French government to pay attention to Ales’s case.

To anyone that has an idea on how to engage leaders, organizations, influencers—join me. Authoritarian regimes aim to separate and break us one by one, but when people come together to join in a single, united action, authoritarian regimes have no choice but to crumble.

Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and concision. Views expressed by the interviewees may not reflect Freedom House's official position.

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[1] Url: https://freedomhouse.org/article/revolving-door-political-prisoners-belarus

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