The International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in Belarus presents its report, “No Crime, Yet a Sentence: Trials in Absentia (Special Proceedings) as a Tool of Persecution in Belarus.” This study offers a comprehensive analysis of one of the country’s repressive practices — the so-called “special proceedings” within the Belarusian criminal justice system — and reaches a clear conclusion: this mechanism constitutes a form of institutionalized persecution bearing the characteristics of crimes against humanity as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
What are “Special Proceedings,” and whom do they affect?
On July 27, 2022, amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Belarus introduced the mechanism of “special proceedings.” This extraordinary form of criminal prosecution is formally intended for individuals residing outside Belarus who allegedly evade appearing before investigative authorities. However, as the report demonstrates, in practice it has become a tool for politically motivated persecution of regime opponents, journalists, human rights defenders, and activists forced to flee the country after the events of 2020. While Belarusian authorities portray this mechanism as standard international practice, our analysis reveals major deviations from universally accepted norms of justice.
Consequences for thousands of Belarusians
Beyond prison sentences and fines, those convicted in absentia face asset seizure and confiscation, inclusion on “terrorist” or “extremist” lists — measures that result in pressure on their relatives in Belarus, restrictions on travel and financial transactions, and significant obstacles to engaging in official or professional activities abroad.
This study should be viewed as an appeal to the international community to acknowledge the systemic human rights violations in Belarus and to provide a proper legal assessment of the regime’s actions, which undermine the very foundations of justice and human dignity.
Here you can download the full version of the investigation in English.
