In Geneva, the international community expresses solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus
In Geneva, the international community expresses solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus
On 23 September, in the margins of the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Permanent Mission of Lithuania organised a side-event to discuss the situation of political prisoners in Belarus, torture in detention centres and the need to hold the Belarusian authorities accountable for all human rights violations. Ambassador Darius Staniulis, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, called on States to continue to support Belarusian human rights defenders in their struggle for a democratic and safe Belarus.
Among speakers were Viktoryia Palchys, wife of political prisoner Eduard Palchys, Alana Gebremariam, human rights activist, member of the Coordinating Council, former political prisoner, former Youth Representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Leanid Sudalenka, Head of the Homiel Branch of the Human Rights Center „Viasna“. They shared their personal stories. The discussion was moderated by Vytis Jurkonis, political scientist at VU TSPMI, Freedom House project manager.
During the event, former political prisoners shared their personal experiences of torture in prison, and the oppression and persecution they faced after completing their sentences and after returning home. States were urged to monitor the situation of political prisoners, to integrate former political prisoners into society, and to provide psychological and financial assistance. Distinguished panellists stressed that the Belarusian authorities were solely responsible for all human rights violations against the Belarusian people. The international community must pursue all possible economic and legal means to secure the release of all political prisoners.
The side-event was co-sponsored by Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, EU Delegation, Finland, France, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States of America.
