UN: Scale up efforts for Nasta Lojka's release

ARTICLE 19 and Human Constanta welcome the oral update by the Group of Experts and their essential work in collecting and preserving evidence of the unprecedented human rights crisis in Belarus.

While we note the recent release of 78 political prisoners - who were reportedly pardoned without being exonerated - more than 1,300 political prisoners remain behind bars. Among them is prominent human rights defender Nasta Lojka, sentenced to 7 years in prison for performing human rights work - a vocation qualified as 'inciting hatred' by the Belarusian authorities. During one of her many interrogations, which were characterised by physical and psychological torture, Nasta was told by police officers that she will be 'forgotten'. She will not.

We urge the Group of Experts and States dedicated to the freedom of expression to scale up their calls for Nasta's immediate and unconditional release, alongside other political prisoners.

Nasta's work included raising awareness about 'anti-extremism' laws. The systematic use of such laws for mass political repression may amount to crimes against humanity, which as the experts have previously concluded were conducted in Belarus. In July 2024, 20 Belarusian political analysts were found guilty of 'conspiracy to overthrow the government' and 'taking part in an extremist formation' during in absentia proceedings - an increasingly popular tool used against exiled dissidents. Relatives and friends of political prisoners are extensively targeted, and sending monetary transfers to prisons is often equated with 'aiding extremist activity', triggering criminal persecution. Resources of independent media and pro-democratic initiatives are regularly added to the Republican List of Extremist Materials.

We encourage the Group of Experts to continue collecting and preserving evidence of the use of 'anti-extremism' laws to systematically silence dissent, with the view of ensuring accountability.