European Artists Rally Against Extradition of Belarusian Filmmaker
Over 70 European artists urge Serbia not to extradite Belarusian filmmaker Andrei Hniot to Belarus, citing risks of torture. The case highlights ongoing political repression under Lukashenko's regime.
In a significant show of solidarity, more than 70 European artists and film directors have united to oppose the potential extradition of Andrei Hniot, a Belarusian filmmaker and vocal critic of Alexander Lukashenko's government, from Serbia to Belarus. The group, which includes renowned figures such as Juliette Binoche and Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich, expressed grave concerns about Hniot's safety if returned to his home country.
Andrei Hniot, known for documenting the 2020 mass protests against Lukashenko's disputed reelection, was arrested on October 30, 2023, at Belgrade airport. The arrest was based on an Interpol warrant issued by Belarusian authorities, alleging tax evasion. However, supporters argue that this charge is a pretext for political persecution.
The open letter, released on August 26, 2024, emphasizes the potential dangers Hniot could face if extradited, including imprisonment and torture. This concern is rooted in Belarus's track record of human rights violations, particularly against political dissidents.
"We openly opposed the dictatorship, human rights violations, and electoral fraud in Belarus in 2020."
Volia Chajkouskaya, co-founder of the Belarusian Independent Film Academy, highlighted the illegality of extraditing someone to a country where they face a high risk of torture. This stance is supported by international law and echoed by organizations such as Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The case of Andrei Hniot is set against the backdrop of widespread political repression in Belarus. According to Viasna, Belarus's oldest human rights group, over 65,000 people have faced political repression since 2020 in a country of 9.4 million. Currently, 1,372 individuals are designated as political prisoners, including Ales Bialiatski, Viasna's founder and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Belarus, often referred to as "Europe's last dictatorship," has been under Alexander Lukashenko's rule since 1994. The country, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, has faced international sanctions due to human rights concerns. Despite its high literacy rate and rich natural heritage, including the ancient Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Belarus continues to grapple with political and economic challenges under its state-controlled system.
As Andrei Hniot's final appeal approaches, scheduled for August 27, 2024, the international community watches closely. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the safety of political dissidents and the state of human rights in Belarus and the region.
