Human Rights Watch Calls on Vinnytsia Prison Officials Not to Sue Human Rights Defenders

Prison authorities in Vinnytsia must immediately withdraw their lawsuit against the Vinnytsia Human Rights Group.

This is stated in a declaration by the international organization Human Rights Watch, the text of which is at the disposal of UNIAN.

Today, 28 July, the Leninskyi District Court of Vinnytsia will hold a preliminary court hearing regarding the lawsuit filed on 26 June by the Stryzhavka Correctional Colony No. 81 against the Vinnytsia Human Rights Group. Prison officials accuse the human rights defenders of damaging the “honour, dignity, and business reputation” of the colony and its staff.

The lawsuit is based on two press releases issued by the Vinnytsia Human Rights Group, which alleged the existence of torture and ill-treatment of convicts in Stryzhavka Colony No. 81. The colony’s officials denied such suspicions.

“The colony is pursuing the Vinnytsia Human Rights Group in court, attempting to stop its legitimate work of informing [the public] about possible cases of torture,” says Human Rights Watch researcher for Ukraine Jane Buchanan. According to her, this case could set a dangerous precedent for government officials attempting to suppress statements and actions aimed at criticizing the authorities.

Since 2001, the Vinnytsia Human Rights Group has been documenting human rights violations, including torture and ill-treatment in detention facilities. The lawsuit quotes two of the organization’s recent press releases as having caused damage to the honour, dignity, and business reputation of the colony and its staff. In the press releases, the Vinnytsia Human Rights Group stated that it had received information about brutal beatings and the suicides of several convicts in Stryzhavka Colony No. 81, as well as in another Ukrainian penitentiary institution. The organization called on government representatives to investigate the reports and allow greater access to the colonies for non-governmental organizations and lawyers. Although the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office conducted some initial checks of the reports, it has still not carried out an effective investigation into the allegations, as required by international law.

“Raising public awareness through legitimate criticism of government activity is a fundamental part of human rights work,” declared J. Buchanan. “We know that the Ukrainian authorities do not always welcome reports of violations. However, governments that attempt to prevent torture should facilitate reports of complaints, not take revenge on human rights defenders,” she added.

Human Rights Watch states that although freedom of expression may be restricted to protect the reputation of others, this cannot extend to reports concerning allegations of torture and calls for the government to respond to them.