Aliaksandra Pulinovich was detained at the age of 16 and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. She is now 19 and remains behind bars, recognised as a political prisoner and subjected to severe detention conditions under fabricated charges.
Petition demands
- Immediately and unconditionally release Aliaksandra Pulinovich.
- Release all individuals involved in the “Black Nightingales” case.
- Investigate allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and coercion during detention and interrogation.
- Ensure accountability for the fabrication of politically motivated criminal charges.
- Guarantee fair trial standards and access to legal protection.
- End the prosecution of minors under “terrorism” and “extremism” charges.
Why is this important?
Aliaksandra Pulinovich is a political prisoner in Belarus. She was detained at the age of 16 — taken directly from school — and later sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. 1
She has been labelled a “terrorist” by the Belarusian authorities, which subjects her to especially harsh detention conditions, including restrictions on contact with her family and access to basic support. 2
Her case is part of the so-called “Black Nightingales” case — a group prosecution involving five individuals, four of whom were minors at the time of their arrest. These are teenagers accused under severe criminal charges widely considered politically motivated. 3
Reports indicate that she was held in pre-trial detention under harsh conditions, including solitary confinement, and that force was used during her arrest. Testimonies from related cases raise serious concerns about torture and ill-treatment during interrogations. 4
This case remains largely unknown internationally. The use of “terrorism” charges has effectively suppressed public attention, leaving these young people without protection or visibility. 5
This is a clear violation of fundamental international human rights standards, including the rights of the child, the prohibition of torture, and the right to a fair trial.
Recipients
This petition is formally addressed to:
- United Nations Human Rights Committee
- Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
Copies are sent to:
- UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus
- UN Special Rapporteur on torture
- UN Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children
- European Union institutions responsible for human rights policy
- Council of Europe bodies
- International human rights organisations
References
- Case materials and testimonies from the “Black Nightingales” case
- Reports by Belarusian human rights organisations (Our House, Viasna)
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC)
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
- UN Convention Against Torture (CAT)
