The Plight of Women Political Prisoners in Belarus:
Exploitation and Abuse Behind Bars
As of May 20, 2024, 181 women are in custody and 568 under partial house arrest, highlighting severe repression.
Belarus has systemic exploitation and abuse in the country's penitentiary system.
As testimonies and reports show, women political prisoners not only endure the harsh realities of unjust imprisonment, but also face forced slave labor that violates their basic rights and dignity.
Urgent action and international solidarity are needed to hold the Belarusian authorities accountable and free all political prisoners in Belarus.
Below is just a small list of what women political prisoners in Belarus face every day.
Women political prisoners in Belarus endure not only the harsh realities of imprisonment but also face exploitative and coercive working environments within the penal system.
Numerous reports and testimonies shed light on the following aspects of their working conditions:
Forced labor and exploitation.** Women political prisoners are often subjected to forced labor. As a rule, this is physically difficult work and is often performed under duress during hours intended for the prisoners’ rest, and they face punishment for failure to complete the work.**
Physical and Psychological Abuse. This abuse serves to intimidate and control prisoners, reinforcing their vulnerability and isolation.
Disproportionately difficult working conditions.** Women political prisoners are often forced to work in conditions that lack basic safety measures and sanitary standards. On old and long-deprecated equipment.**
They work long hours in overcrowded and poorly ventilated spaces without adequate rest breaks or access to medical care. Working in such conditions is often associated with work-related injuries.
Working conditions exacerbate prisoners' physical and mental health problems, causing fatigue, illness and emotional distress.
Lack of fair pay.** Despite their labor contributions, female political prisoners typically receive minimal or no compensation (as punishment) for their work. Their efforts are exploited by prison authorities, who benefit from free or low-cost labor provided by prisoners.**
The lack of fair compensation further compounds the injustice of forced labor practices in the Belarusian prison system, perpetuating economic exploitation.
Punitive Measures. Forced labor is often used as a punitive measure against female political prisoners to exercise control and discipline over prisoners.
Those who refuse to comply with labor requirements even due to illness are subject to severe repression, such as:
- solitary confinement in a punishment cell,
- deprivation of food and other parcels,
- ban on the right of correspondence,
- deprivation of letters from family and friends,
- ban on meeting with a lawyer.
It is impossible to refuse work; this is considered a malicious violation of the established procedure for serving a sentence. For several such “violations”, a new criminal case can be opened and imprisonment for up to 2 years imposed (Article 411 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus).
These examples illustrate the egregious violations of human rights and dignity faced by women political prisoners in Belarus.
Efforts to address these systemic abuses require urgent action and international solidarity to hold the Belarusian authorities accountable and immediate release of all political prisoners.
The Belarusian Women's Foundation (BWF) is an organization dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of women subjected to political repression in Belarus.
In the context of the ongoing authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko, the Foundation provides support and advocacy for women unjustly detained for their political beliefs and actions.
My step to Freedom project brings women's stories to the forefront, seeking international support for their release.
BWF's mission includes ending violence against women, promoting women's leadership, and women's economic empowerment.
The Road to The Hague project aims to hold the Belarusian regime accountable for crimes against humanity through international legal action.
In May 2021, Belarus Women’s Foundation submitted a „Request for Investigation“ to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, alleging that Lukashenko was complicit in crimes against humanity.
BWF provides free psychological support through consultations and group therapy. This helpline offers confidential counseling to help women cope with trauma.
Take Action Now!
- Raise Awareness: Share the stories of these women and the injustices they face. Use social media, community events, and public forums to spread the word.
- Support BWF’s Initiatives: Follow Belarus Women’s Foundation in social media to learn more and contribute to our projects.
- Pressure Governments and International Bodies: Urge your representatives to take a stand against the Belarusian regime’s human rights abuses and to support measures that hold them accountable.
4. Join and support campaigns such as: Petition Lukashenka Tribunal
We call on the EU governments to declare an Ultimatum to Lukashenka to demand the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.
#Belarus #FreePoliticalPrisoners #FreeBelarusWomen #StandWithBelarusWomen
#LukashenkaTribunal #UltimatumToLukashenka #TimeToAct #RoadtoTheHague #StopRailCargo #CrimesAgainstHumanity
#SaveLives #HumanRights #EndForcedLabor #unbreakable #behindbars