{"id":1894007,"date":"2026-04-20T12:35:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894007"},"modified":"2026-04-20T12:35:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:35:37","slug":"un-experts-warn-of-deeply-alarming-detention-practices-in-belarus-prison-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894007","title":{"rendered":"UN experts warn of &#8216;deeply alarming detention practices&#8217; in Belarus&#8217; prison system"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/85\/54\/1200x675_cmsv2_efa5ddbd-b4d2-558d-872c-afee84d26171-9728554.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887793-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887793\" data-cid=\"9729657\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887793-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_72f87509-d69c-5399-a0b1-de1a45b8f0cc-9729657.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film \u2018Aldeas\u2019 premieres at Vatican one year after pontiff\u2019s death\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887608-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887608\" data-cid=\"9728651\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887608-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_1e998e56-3199-586e-9122-8eb4a75ee4db-9728651.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887593-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887593\" data-cid=\"9728642\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887593-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/23\/11\/189x106_cmsv2_b8d5a000-9d3f-520b-a9f5-6190864e7a43-9702311.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Made in Germany: These components are driving Russian drones into Ukraine\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887793-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887793\" data-cid=\"9729657\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887793-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_72f87509-d69c-5399-a0b1-de1a45b8f0cc-9729657.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film \u2018Aldeas\u2019 premieres at Vatican one year after pontiff\u2019s death\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887608-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887608\" data-cid=\"9728651\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887608-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_1e998e56-3199-586e-9122-8eb4a75ee4db-9728651.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887593-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887593\" data-cid=\"9728642\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887593-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/23\/11\/189x106_cmsv2_b8d5a000-9d3f-520b-a9f5-6190864e7a43-9702311.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Made in Germany: These components are driving Russian drones into Ukraine\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            UN experts warn of &#8216;deeply alarming detention practices&#8217; in Belarus&#8217; prison system<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/85\/54\/1536x864_cmsv2_efa5ddbd-b4d2-558d-872c-afee84d26171-9728554.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Police officers detain protesters during a rally in Minsk, 8 September, 2020\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Police officers detain protesters during a rally in Minsk, 8 September, 2020<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspGavin Blackburn\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776688537\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-20 14:35:37 +02:00\">20\/04\/2026 &#8211; 14:35 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-close\" 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width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        There are more than 1,100 political prisoners in Belarusian jails, many arrested after a disputed 2020 election that triggered widespread protests.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>United Nations experts expressed concern on Monday over allegations of prolonged incommunicado detention and dire custody conditions in Belarus that may amount to torture.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The group of 17 independent experts said they had received information pointing to &#8220;deeply alarming detention practices that may amount to grave violations of international law&#8221; at the Novopolotsk correctional colony in northern Belarus.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are gravely concerned that detainees in Novopolotsk Colony may be subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, disciplinary sanctions and physical punishments after suicide attempts,&#8221; they said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but not speaking on behalf of the United Nations, they also highlighted &#8220;denial of essential medical care and reprisals for attempting to raise complaints, especially after confidential meetings with the Colony&#8217;s psychologist.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If confirmed, such practices may amount to torture and ill-treatment, and, under certain circumstances, may entail the commission of enforced disappearance,&#8221; they said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6815\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/85\/54\/808x550_cmsv2_4aa76951-c58f-55bb-be6e-2eb8b51edf97-9728554.jpg\" alt=\"Relatives and friends of arrested participants of a flash mob wait outside the prison walls to bring food and clothes in Minsk, 7 July, 2011\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Relatives and friends of arrested participants of a flash mob wait outside the prison walls to bring food and clothes in Minsk, 7 July, 2011<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The experts cited the case of Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty journalist Ihar Losik, who was arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges and held at several facilities in Belarus, including Novopolotsk.<\/p>\n<p>His prison sentence began in June 2022, after his arrest in 2020, and he was released and expelled from the country in September 2025, according to the statement.<\/p>\n<p>Losik, who was among 52 political prisoners released last September, reportedly endured prolonged isolation in harsh conditions, and attempted suicide twice while in custody.<\/p>\n<p>After one reported attempt in which he seriously injured himself, he was allegedly denied hospitalisation and put into &#8220;disciplinary isolation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Imprisoned journalists from Belarus and Georgia win EU&#8217;s Sakharov Prize for 2025<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Belarus releases 250 political prisoners after negotiations with US, envoy says<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Punishing detainees for suicide attempts rather than ensuring urgent psychological and medical care is profoundly disturbing and incompatible with basic human rights standards,&#8221; the experts said.<\/p>\n<p>They also raised concern over the reported 2023 death in custody of an older detainee with health conditions, who they said was held in isolation without adequate care.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Deaths in custody amid allegations of isolation, denial of care and concealment of information from families, raise the most serious concerns under international law,&#8221; they said.<\/p>\n<p>In a separate statement, a team of UN investigators slammed the Belarusian government&#8217;s decision since last year to invalidate the passports of political prisoners who were forcibly expelled from the country following their release.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/69\/08\/95\/808x539_cmsv2_f4bf83e4-f712-5400-a6e1-6e92d66fe52a-9690895.jpg\" alt=\"Belarusian people attend a protest demanding freedom for political prisoners in Belarus, 8 March, 2024\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Belarusian people attend a protest demanding freedom for political prisoners in Belarus, 8 March, 2024<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <strong>UN Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus<\/strong> said it interviewed a large number of former detainees who had been left without valid travel documents as a result.<\/p>\n<p>The measure, it said, was &#8220;contrary to international law and without legal ground or justification.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The group called on Belarusian authorities to immediately remedy the situation.<\/p>\n<p>There are more than 1,100 political prisoners in Belarusian jails, many arrested after a disputed 2020 election that triggered widespread protests, according to the Viasna human rights centre.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AFP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Poland&#8217;s border with Belarus sees decrease in illegal immigration attempts by 96%<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Belarus passes bill to crack down on LGBTQ+ rights echoing similar law in Russia<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  &#8216;Talk to Lukashenka or face Putin,&#8217; freed Belarus activist warns EU<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    political prisioners<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    United Nations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Belarus<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Torture<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Human Rights<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_fc43a89a-0f27-527a-b64c-440a314dd652-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Mourners carry Iranian flags as they gather during a funeral procession in Tehran, 1 April 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US-Iran ceasefire 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class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_fc43a89a-0f27-527a-b64c-440a314dd652-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Mourners carry Iranian flags as they gather during a funeral procession in Tehran, 1 April 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US-Iran ceasefire on brink as talks stall and Hormuz crisis deepens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887694-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887694\" data-cid=\"9729198\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887694-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/91\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_00d4ad5c-79dc-5dec-b921-9b30cba2c726-9729198.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs &amp; Maria Tadeo, EUronews\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Appetite among NATO members to join Iran war &#8216;very limited&#8217;, says Eide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887593-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887593\" data-cid=\"9728642\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887593-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/23\/11\/320x180_cmsv2_b8d5a000-9d3f-520b-a9f5-6190864e7a43-9702311.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Made in Germany: These components are driving Russian drones into Ukraine\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article 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m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886906\" data-cid=\"9725344\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Radev wins in Bulgaria as Orb\u00e1n hints at lifting Ukraine loan veto<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886836-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886836\" data-cid=\"9725051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries will be the richest by 2030?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">United Nations experts expressed concern on Monday over allegations of prolonged incommunicado detention and dire custody conditions in Belarus that may amount to torture.The group of 17 independent experts said they had received information pointing to &#8220;deeply alarming detention practices that may amount to grave violations of international law&#8221; at the Novopolotsk correctional colony in northern Belarus.&#8221;We are gravely concerned that detainees in Novopolotsk Colony may be subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, disciplinary sanctions and physical punishments after suicide attempts,&#8221; they said in a statement.Mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but not speaking on behalf of the United Nations, they also highlighted &#8220;denial of essential medical care and reprisals for attempting to raise complaints, especially after confidential meetings with the Colony&#8217;s psychologist.&#8221;&#8221;If confirmed, such practices may amount to torture and ill-treatment, and, under certain circumstances, may entail the commission of enforced disappearance,&#8221; they said.The experts cited the case of Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty journalist Ihar Losik, who was arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges and held at several facilities in Belarus, including Novopolotsk.His prison sentence began in June 2022, after his arrest in 2020, and he was released and expelled from the country in September 2025, according to the statement.Losik, who was among 52 political prisoners released last September, reportedly endured prolonged isolation in harsh conditions, and attempted suicide twice while in custody.After one reported attempt in which he seriously injured himself, he was allegedly denied hospitalisation and put into &#8220;disciplinary isolation.&#8221;&#8221;Punishing detainees for suicide attempts rather than ensuring urgent psychological and medical care is profoundly disturbing and incompatible with basic human rights standards,&#8221; the experts said.They also raised concern over the reported 2023 death in custody of an older detainee with health conditions, who they said was held in isolation without adequate care.&#8221;Deaths in custody amid allegations of isolation, denial of care and concealment of information from families, raise the most serious concerns under international law,&#8221; they said.In a separate statement, a team of UN investigators slammed the Belarusian government&#8217;s decision since last year to invalidate the passports of political prisoners who were forcibly expelled from the country following their release.The UN Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus said it interviewed a large number of former detainees who had been left without valid travel documents as a result.The measure, it said, was &#8220;contrary to international law and without legal ground or justification.&#8221;The group called on Belarusian authorities to immediately remedy the situation.There are more than 1,100 political prisoners in Belarusian jails, many arrested after a disputed 2020 election that triggered widespread protests, according to the Viasna human rights centre.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/04\/20\/un-experts-warn-of-deeply-alarming-detention-practices-in-belarus-prison-system&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/85\/54\/1200x675_cmsv2_efa5ddbd-b4d2-558d-872c-afee84d26171-9728554.jpg&#8221;] Cinema &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican Iran Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests Europe Today Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go? Europe News German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions Cinema &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1894007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1894007"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894007\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1894007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1894007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1894007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}