A group of United Nations experts has issued a stern call to Belarus, urging an end to the alleged mistreatment of individuals imprisoned under the country's sweeping anti-terrorism and extremism laws. The experts are pressing for a swift and unbiased investigation into these allegations.

Reports received by the UN detail the harsh conditions faced by three prisoners—two women and one man—including denial of essential medical care and exposure to inhumane treatment that risks their long-term health. Despite repeated calls for intervention, Belarusian authorities have yet to respond.

One notable case involves a prisoner punished ostensibly for her socio-political writings, highlighting a grave violation of freedom of expression. The UN experts criticized the Belarusian legal framework, particularly laws against terrorism and extremism, which they argue are being exploited to suppress civil and political liberties without affording the accused a fair opportunity to contest these charges.

Article 63 of the Belarusian Criminal Code defines terrorism broadly, encompassing any act deemed a threat to public figures or intended to disrupt public order or influence government decisions, with penalties ranging from 8 to 15 years or even the death penalty.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called on Belarus to align its legal practices with international standards, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to ensure that anti-terrorism and extremism laws are not misused.

In a revealing November 2024 statement, the Working Group highlighted the case of Marfa Rabkova, a human rights defender charged under Article 293(3) for allegedly preparing individuals to participate in riots. Rabkova has faced prolonged pre-trial detention, interrogation without legal representation, repeated denial of bail, and restricted family contact, all of which underscore systemic issues within the Belarusian judiciary.

This urgent plea from UN experts underscores a critical need for reforms in Belarus to halt the abuse of law and ensure the protection of fundamental human rights. The international community continues to watch closely, awaiting actionable steps from Belarusian authorities to address these severe allegations.