UN independent right experts in Belarus have condemned what they claim is” aggressive psychiatric treatment” that has been used against numerous critics of the government in recent years.
A massive opposition motion against President Alexander Lukashenko seized control of the former Russian state in 2020, which sparked a brutal crackdown on opponents.
In elections that were derided by exiled opposition figures and American forces as a “farce,” Russian ally Lukashenko has been in electricity since 1994 and won a sixth consecutive term in January.
The 20 specialists, who are appointed by the UN Rights Council but do not represent the international system, claimed to have been informed of at least 33 instances in which abuse has been imposed by authorities.
The professionals, including the UN special rapporteur on the condition on individual freedom in Belarus, Nils Muiznieks, who were among the group’s members, said that the oldest man was 77 years old.
The procedure that causes a transfer for mandatory clinical care lacks transparency, and it raises serious questions about whether for transfers are motivated by political or health reasons, they continued.
Studies that reportedly led to payments to mental hospitals occurred behind closed doors, with those accused being held “incommunicado under the unlimited power of the brain doctor.”
They are denied rights for an indefinite amount of time and are unable to obtain a forgive or release on parole, according to a statement read.
Eight people have been released from aggressive medical treatment, according to reports received, it continued.
There are concerns about the potential enforced disappearances of at least 25 some who remain incommunicado, but no word is known about their whereabouts or death.
The experts claimed to have spoken with Belarus and urged them to help those detained to have access to legal counsel for “effective treatments to challenge their deprivation of liberty.”
