Maryia Kolesova-Hudzilina

Belarus: raids on the home of human rights lawyer Maryia Kolesova-Hudzilina

11 October 2024

A raid was reportedly carried out at the home of Maryia Kolesova-Hudzilina, lawyer and President of the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers.

The search was allegedly carried out by KGB agents, who arrested the tenant of Ms Kolesova-Hudzilina’s home. Through the tenant, the KBG allegedly tried to locate lawyers in the country who might have been able to help the lawyer.

The flat was ransacked and sealed by the authorities. It is now impossible for anyone to gain access to clean up the damage.

This incident is part of the growing persecution of lawyers in Belarus by Alexander Lukashenko’s government.

Through this broad policy of repression of civil and political rights, many lawyers face the revocation of their licences, prosecution or arrest for defending political opponents or denouncing human rights violations.

The Belarusian authorities seek to control the judicial system and neutralise any opposition, thereby considerably reducing the rule of law.

The Observatory strongly condemns the violent search of the home of the lawyer Maryia Kolesova-Hudzilina, which represents a serious infringement of her fundamental rights.

The Observatory urges the Belarusian authorities to fully respect procedural guarantees, including the right to a free and independent defence, as well as the inviolability of lawyers’ workplaces.

The Observatory seeks an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances of this search, in order to sanction any violation of rights and abuse of power.

The Observatory recalls that, in accordance with the United Nations basic principles on the role of the Bar, in particular principles 16, 17 and 18 :

“Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (..)” (Principle 16)

 “Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.” (Principle 17)

“Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.” (Principle 18)