Medical aid for released political prisoners

According to our observations, the health of released political prisoners is deteriorating. This is due to long prison terms and inhumane conditions: damp and cold cells, malnutrition, lack of exercise and little or no direct sunlight. Many prisoners are also mistreated and tortured, and prisoners in need of treatment are denied professional medical care and even medication.

Without exception, all those released show serious physical and mental damage. The most common conditions we document are

• severe dental damage
• eye problems
• kidney damage
• joint diseases
• lung diseases
• gastrointestinal diseases

We are also seeing an increase in cancer and HIV, which either developed in prison or worsened there.

The need for our help remains high, as most of those released have no access to adequate medical care.

With our help, released political prisoners gain access to appropriate medical care, including:

• Health check-ups
• Comprehensive diagnostics
• Specialist examinations
• Dental treatment and implants
• Surgery
• Rehabilitation

Only health problems caused by repression are treated, with the aim of enabling those affected to lead a life similar to the one they had before their imprisonment.

Medical care in Belarus is often completely inadequate, and special therapy and rehabilitation measures are either unavailable or only available to a limited extent. For this reason, all treatment and rehabilitation measures take place in third countries under the highest security precautions to ensure the protection of those affected.

To help affected persons, we established the Belarus Emergency Fund in 2020. The fund supports victims of state violence who need special assistance on their road to recovery and when arriving in exile. Your donation will help people who have paid with their health and their careers for their commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights, to regain their freedom of movement and ability to act.