Belarus must end ill-treatment of prisoners convicted on terrorism and extremism charges, say UN experts

A group of UN experts* today called on authorities in Belarus to promptly and efficiently investigate the alleged ill-treatment of prisoners convicted on terrorism and extremism related charges.

In a letter to Belarusian authorities, the experts raised concerns about the alleged ill-treatment of three inmates, two women and one man, convicted and sentenced to lengthy imprisonment on terrorism and extremism charges.

“We call on Belarusian authorities to immediately launch a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged ill-treatment of these prisoners and take all possible measures to safeguard their health and personal integrity, including considering granting them pardons or commutations of their sentences to non-custodial penalties,” the experts said.