Amnesty International: Human Rights Situation In Belarus Is Critical
6- 21.04.2026, 17:25
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An international human rights organization submitted a report on the human rights situation.
A separate section in it is dedicated to Belarus, reports Radiyo Svaboda.
"The world is on the threshold of a dangerous new era, which is caused by attacks on diversity, international law and human rights by powerful states, corporations and anti-law movements," the document reads.
The human rights activists argue that the rules-based order is crumbling before our eyes, and with it human achievements such as rejecting racial discrimination and violence against women, strengthening workers' and trade union rights, recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples, fighting poverty, strengthening reproductive rights and justice.
"World leaders are too subservient to attacks on international law and the diversity system. Their silence and inaction are inexcusable. This moral bankruptcy will only lead to retreat, defeat, and destruction of hard-won human rights gains. Appeasement of the aggressors is like pouring oil on a fire that will burn us all and scorch the future for generations to come," said Secretary General of the organization Anyes Calamar.
What the report says about Belarus
A separate section of the document is devoted to Belarus. Amnesty International said the human rights situation in the country remains critical.
"The rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association remain severely restricted. The government has sought to suppress religious minorities through a compulsory, non-transparent registration procedure. The judicial system was used to suppress dissent. Torture and other ill-treatment were widespread. Refugees and migrants are subject to abuse by the authorities," the report said.
Continued emigration, including in response to the 2020 post-election crackdown, has exacerbated labor shortages, and authorities continue to pressure emigrants to return by denying them consular services abroad.
After U.S. diplomatic measures, including the lifting of some sanctions that were adopted in exchange for the release of prisoners, freedom of expression remains severely curtailed.
Expanding list of "extremists"
The authorities continued to label media outlets broadcasting a different position as "extremist" and arbitrarily added about 100 individuals each month to the "List of Persons Involved in Extremist Activities." As of December, the list contained 6,127 people, human rights activists said.
Organizations that published, distributed or produced "extremist" content or were linked to individuals on the list were banned. Any association with them or participation in their activities was a criminal offense. As of December, 28 media workers were in prison for their professional activities.
As of April 21, 23 media workers were in prison.
Closure of civil society organizations
Government attacks on freedom of association continued. Participation in forcibly closed, suspended, or unregistered NGOs, as well as political and religious organizations, continued to be criminalized and punishable by fines and imprisonment.
As of December 2025, 99 civil society organizations, including independent NGOs and trade unions, were closed or dissolved during the year due to severe legal restrictions, government interference, and financial hardship.
The persecution of religious organizations and clergy that did not submit to the Religious organizations that had not undergone mandatory re-registration in the previous 12 months were prosecuted for closure.
Persecution of the opposition
The authorities continued to abuse the judicial system to stifle dissent. Hundreds of people, including human rights defenders, activists, media workers, and lawyers, continued to serve long prison sentences imposed after unfair, politically motivated trials. More than 170 victims of politically motivated imprisonment were released early between June and December as part of a U.S.-brokered deal. However, many people continued to be arbitrarily persecuted and imprisoned. According to Viasna, 864 people were unjustly detained in Belarus as of April 21.
Trial in absentia
In September, the UN expressed concern about the growing number of trials in absentia. Those affected learned of the persecution incidentally, were unaware of the charges and grounds for conviction, and were deprived of legal redress. Torture and other ill-treatment in detention, including sexual violence, remained widespread and perpetrators went unpunished. Persons convicted on politically motivated charges were subjected to ill-treatment in prison colonies. They were denied contact with the outside world, proper medical care, and were often held in solitary confinement for long periods.
Deaths in custody
According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, prisoners were subjected to forced labor, threats of punishment, and degrading conditions.
The report claims that at least two victims of politically motivated persecution, Valentin Shtermer and Andriy Podnebny, have died in detention, bringing the total number of deaths since 2020 to nine.
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