Фото: reform.news
UN experts have expressed serious concern about detention conditions in Correctional Colony No. 1 in Navapolatsk.
They point out that inmates in the Navapolatsk colony may be held in solitary confinement for long periods, punished after suicide attempts and subjected to reprisals for trying to file complaints.
“We are deeply concerned that inmates in Navapolatsk prison colony may be subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, disciplinary measures and physical punishment following suicide attempts, denial of necessary medical care and reprisals for attempting to file complaints, especially after confidential meetings with the colony psychologist”, the statement said.
If such facts are confirmed, they may qualify as torture and cruel treatment and, under certain circumstances, as enforced disappearances, the UN experts warned.
The case of former political prisoner Ihar Losik, who served his sentence in the Navapolatsk colony, is cited as an example. He was reportedly held in isolation for a long time without contact with his family, correspondence or effective legal assistance, while his appeals to international human rights bodies were not forwarded. Losik made two suicide attempts, and after he inflicted serious injuries on himself in March 2023, he was denied hospitalization and placed in an isolation cell.
“Punishing inmates for suicide attempts instead of ensuring urgent psychological and medical assistance is deeply alarming and incompatible with fundamental human rights standards, including the rights to life, health and freedom from torture and cruel treatment”, the experts said.
The UN experts also expressed concern that Losik had been included on lists of “terrorists” and “extremists” despite the absence of a corresponding conviction.
“Inclusion on such lists appears to result in discriminatory treatment and deprivation of fundamental rights”, the statement said. The UN experts called on the Belarusian authorities to stop abusing terrorist lists and to ensure compliance with international law.
The statement also expressed concern over reports of the death in 2023 of an elderly inmate who had health problems and was held in isolation without proper medical care. It is unknown whether his death was investigated.
“We urge the Belarusian authorities to ensure humane conditions of detention, guarantee access to independent medical and psychological assistance and conduct reliable investigations into all cases of death and serious injury in places of detention.
Measures must also be taken to prevent such violations in Belarusian penitentiary institutions and to ensure the protection of inmates from reprisals for filing complaints”, the statement said.
On March 16, the UN experts sent a communication to the Belarusian government regarding these cases.