Urgent Action: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES (Belarus 97.22)

After having served almost 75 days in detention for purported petty hooliganism, Belarusian human rights defender and educator Nasta (Anastasia) Loika faces unfounded criminal charges and remains in detention. The authorities are targeting Nasta Loika in retaliation for her human rights work. There are serious concerns for her safety, health and wellbeing. She must be immediately released.

TAKE ACTION:

1. Please take action as-soon-as possible. This Urgent Action expires on June 29, 2023.
2. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
3. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 97.22. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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SAMPLE LETTER Dear Prosecutor General, I am extremely concerned about the arbitrary criminal prosecution and detention of human rights defender and prisoner of conscience Nasta (Anastasia) Loika and reports of torture and other ill-treatment. On 28 October 2022, Nasta Loika was arbitrarily arrested in Minsk and given 15 days of detention on 31 October, under the false accusation of “petty hooliganism” (Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences). However, she was not immediately released after serving her sentence and given four additional 15-day terms in detention for the same purported offense. On 24 December 2022, she was arbitrarily charged under Articles 342.1 and 130.3 of the Criminal Code. Nasta Loika reported that while in detention she had been tortured by electric shock during questioning and that she was left for eight hours in the courtyard outside without outerwear. She is consistently not being provided with required medical help, which in itself may amount to inhumane and degrading treatment. Nasta Loika has committed no crime and is being relentlessly targeted by the authorities in retaliation for her human rights work. I urge you to: • Ensure Nasta Loika’s immediate and unconditional release and end the misuse of the criminal justice system to target her and other human rights defenders in Belarus. • Instigate an immediate investigation into the allegations of Nasta Loika’s torture and other ill-treatment, and into her arbitrary detention and prosecution, and suspend any officials who may be reasonably suspected of respective violations until the outcome of the investigation and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable in fair trial proceedings without recourse to the death penalty. Yours sincerely, SOURCES

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