A recent revelation from a political prisoner in Belarus has brought to light the harsh realities of the country's prison system. Katsiaryna Novikava, aged 38, managed to share her harrowing experiences by writing on pieces of toilet paper and smuggling them out.
Novikava detailed the brutal treatment she endured after being detained in June 2023, where she was subjected to repeated beatings by security forces. Her account, published in independent Belarusian media, described how she was assaulted during interrogations in various detention centers.
Belarus, a nation of 9.5 million people, has been under the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko. The country witnessed mass protests following Lukashenko's controversial re-election in August 2020, which was widely condemned as fraudulent by the opposition and Western nations.
Since then, Belarusian authorities have detained over 35,000 individuals, many of whom faced torture while in custody and were forced to flee the country. These detainees were labeled as 'extremists' by the authorities, according to the Belarusian human rights center Viasna.
Novikava, who took part in opposition protests, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison in January on charges of inciting hatred and obstructing the work of an Interior Ministry employee.
Despite her deteriorating health condition due to the beatings, Novikava reported that she was not receiving adequate medical attention. She recounted an incident where she sustained a head injury but was denied treatment.
While most political prisoners are held in solitary confinement, Novikava shared a cell with Marina Zolatava, the editor-in-chief of Tut.by, Belarus's largest independent online news outlet, who received a 12-year prison sentence.
Novikava's messages have prompted calls for investigation by the U.N. Committee Against Torture. Viasna highlighted the dire situation faced by political prisoners in Belarus, emphasizing the systemic abuse, lack of medical care, and isolation they endure.
Notable political figures like Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kolesnikova, Mikola Statkevich, and Maxim Znak have been subjected to similar conditions, with no communication for over a year.
Currently, Belarus holds 1,385 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Tragically, at least six political prisoners have died while in custody, as reported by Viasna.
Human rights advocates have been documenting the widespread torture and mistreatment of prisoners in Belarus, leading to concerns that the country is becoming a 'black hole in Europe,' according to Viasna.
