Human Rights

Prisoner of Conscience: Nasta Loika

Prominent Belarusian human rights defender Nasta (Anastasia) Loika, known for her work on the issues of equality and access to justice, faces seven years in prison amid reports of torture and severe rights violations. Initially arrested in October 2022 on charges of petty hooliganism, she served five consecutive 15-day sentences. In December 2022 prosecutors pressed the more serious charges of "organizing group actions grossly violating public order" and "inciting social enmity."

A respected human rights activist and educator, and the recipient of multiple awards for her contributions to Belarusian civil society, Loika was sentenced in summer 2023 to seven years' imprisonment for allegedly "inciting racial, national, religious, or other social enmity or discord."

During her detention, Loika has endured severe mistreatment. Reports indicate she has been subjected to electroshock torture during interrogations, forced to stand in freezing temperatures without proper clothing, and denied access to both legal counsel and medical care. Her communications have been severely restricted, with authorities permitting letters only from her mother.

A number of international human rights organizations expressed concern following her sentence in 2023.

"The criminal prosecution and sentencing of Nasta Loika to seven years of imprisonment is another illustration of the systematic repression against civil society and critical voices unfolding in Belarus since the 2020 presidential elections", said Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights at that time.

Amnesty International's Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Marie Struthers, also condemned the prosecution: "The conviction of Nasta Loika on trumped-up charges following a secretive, sham trial deals a devastating blow to the activist community in Belarus and the human rights situation as a whole. The authorities' cowardly decision to try her behind closed doors reveals the total lack of legitimacy of her prosecution and the extent of the violations of her right to a fair trial."

Loika's case exemplifies the broader crackdown on dissent under Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus's authoritarian leader for 30 years. Since widespread protests in 2020, his regime has systematically targeted political opponents, activists, journalists, and dissidents, subjecting thousands to imprisonment, torture, and harassment. These human rights abuses have led to international sanctions against his regime and prompted an exodus of approximately 350,000 people from Belarus, according to Amnesty International.

Prisoners of Conscience

Prisoners of Conscience from East and Southeast Europe

We feature select few prisoners of conscience out of the many in East and Southeast Europe. One political prisoner is one too many. 

Find out who the other political prisoners are #PrisonersofConscience  #FreeThemAll and in the special Focus on our website.