Today Belarus is at the very top of the list of countries in the world as to the number of sentenced people per 1000 population. Food does not correspond to any minimal medical requirement.
Torture is widespread.
In many cases people who are condemned to spend time there lose not only their freedom but their health as well. One clear example is the detention arrest on March 25 of this year in Minsk of 500 people participating in a demonstration. When the demonstration was organized, the authorities brought in the army with tanks and water canons. Detained people were transported to hangers or military bases. But now we are feeling a very strong pressure against leaders of all opposition parties, against all independent mass media, and especially against any of the probable candidates for this position.