Marfa Rabkova, a student at European Humanities University (EHU), Lithuania, studying International Law and European Union Law has been in prison in Belarus since September 17, 2020. She faces thirteen charges that could lead to a prison sentence of 20 years. These charges appear to be in retaliation for monitoring nationwide protests calling for President Lukashenko’s resignation.
https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/2022/02/release-and-drop-charges-against-marfa-rabkova/
February 12, 2022
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko, President
Republic of Belarus
Independence Palace, Parspiekt
Pieramozcau Avenue
Minsk, Republic of Belarus
Fax: +375 17 226 06 10
Dear President Lukashenko:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues throughout the world.
This letter concerns Marfa Rabkova, who is studying international law and European Union law at the European Humanities University (EHU) in Lithuania. She has been imprisoned in Minsk Detention Center No. 1 since September 17, 2020. She faces 13 charges, which could lead to a prison sentence of 20 years.
Ms. Rabkova is the coordinator of the Volunteer Service of the Human Rights Center in Viasna. As part of her work, she has participated in the observation of peaceful assemblies and elections. She also collected evidence of torture and violence against civilians and helped to pay the fines imposed on protestors.
Since the initial arrest by the Main Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime and Corruption (GUBOPiK) of Ms. Rabkova and her husband, Vadzim Zharomsky, who was later released, Ms. Rabkova has had her pretrial detention extended several times. On February 11, 2021 and November 28, 2021, charges were added to the accusations against her, which include inciting riots, inciting hostility, and memberhip in a criminal organization.
The committee is concerned that these charges are retaliation for Ms. Rabkova’s work as part of Viasna. The piling on of charges appears to be a pretext for keeping her in prison.
We urge your government to release Ms. Rabkova without delay. The nonviolent nature of her alleged crimes and her young age, 26, do not warrant imprisonment and more than a dozen charges against her. She suffers from multiple health conditions, including, though not limited to, low blood pressure, low weight, and a lack of dental care. She contracted COVID-19 in prison and only narrowly managed to survive it. Several of her relatives have died while she has been in prison, and she should be granted access to those of her family members who have survived. She should also have access to medical care and legal counsel, as well as the speedy trial required by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Belarus has signed. Further, the lawyers in Ms. Rabkova’s case should not be subject to nondisclosure agreements.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will closely follow developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
cc:
Valentyn Rybakov,
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus
to the United Nations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Belarus
to the United Nations
Phone: (212) 535-3420
Fax: (212) 734-4810
Email:belarus@un.int
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Twitter: @ABlinken
Vladimir Makei,,Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus
vulica Lienina 19,
Minsk 220030, Belarus
Email: mail@mfa.gov.by
Ruben Harutunian, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim
U.S. Embassy Minsk
46 Starovilenskaya St.
Minsk 220002, Belarus
Phone: +375 17 210-12-83 / 217-7347 / 217-7348
Fax: +375 17 334 78 53
Twitter: @RubenHarutunian