"Low-status" prisoners in Belarus banned from religious practice

Country: Belarus

Date of incident: January 16, 2025


In a growing assault on religious freedom, several prisoners in Belarus are being denied any contact with religious services or members of the clergy because they are considered 'low status'. The ban even prevents them from possessing religious literature or devotional objects.

The human rights situation in Belarus has deteriorated significantly in recent years and is considered to be of 'grave concern'.  In particular, as reported by OIDAC, religious freedom has been severely curtailed by the government, posing a serious threat to the survival of several Christian communities. 

The latest restrictions on religious freedom concern the religious freedom of prison inmates. As published by Forum 18 on 16 January, several prisoners unofficially classified as "low status" are constantly deprived of any religious support or services. In an interview with Forum 18, former political prisoner and Orthodox Christian Vadim Yermashuk, who was detained for more than two years in Bobruisk's Labour Camp No. 2, said, "In all that time I was allowed to attend church services once. When my brother died, I was not even allowed to light a candle for him.

Belarusian "low status" prisoners are constantly denied access to religious literature, devotional objects and any form of contact with members of the clergy. Although the restrictions affect prisoners of all faiths, non-Orthodox Christians (Protestants and Catholics) have more limited opportunities to practice their faith. The local Catholic website katolik.life has published several articles denouncing various restrictions on the religious freedom of Catholic prisoners. Unfortunately, the Belarusian Ministry of Information blocked access to the website in July 2024.

Officials reportedly even took away a string from one prisoner on the grounds that it could be used as a rosary. 

In 2023, the administration of Gomel Women's Labour Camp No. 4 banned some prisoners - including political prisoners - from attending church in prison. The same happened in Shklov labour camp No. 17 and Mogilev labour camp No. 15, where other political prisoners were banned from attending the prison's Orthodox churches.

Despite several protests by international organisations (such as the United Nations), the Belarusian authorities have failed to respond to the appeals or implement any changes in the treatment of "low status" prisoners.

Source: Forum18.orgosce.orgChristian Vision (Belarus)

Image: Freepik.com