Belarus: Information on whether a person wrongly convicted during the Soviet era and released in 1991 would be able to seek redress
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BYS17870.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Belarus: Information on whether a person wrongly convicted during the Soviet era and released in 1991 would be able to seek redress, 1 July 1994, BYS17870.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2c70.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A December 1992 report indicates that:
The successor states [of the former Soviet Union] acknowledge but do not assume responsibility for past crimes, and have failed in their legal obligation to compensate adequately victims of these injustices. There is little likelihood that the successor states will make full compensation of victims a priority in the foreseeable future since state coffers are largely empty during this transitional time, and economic demands are more than the nascent economic structure can satisfy (Human Rights Watch, 246).
A researcher on Belarus for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich thinks this situation still holds true (20 July 1994). She adds that the Belorussian government considers it the responsibility of the Russian government (as the legal successor to the Soviet Union) to finance compensation for former political prisoners (ibid.). The researcher indicates the issue might be under discussion as part of negotiations on the implementation of the Russian-Belarusian monetary union signed in April 1994 (ibid.; RFE/RL 20 May 1994, 29).
In October 1992 the Russian Association for the Victims of Political Repressions (RAVPR) indicated that:
Some privileges and benefits have been extended to [victims of repressions], although not very large. Now compensations have begun to be paid for the periods of imprisonment not much but again some assistance (OKINB 22 Oct. 1992).
For additional information on the RAVPR and the issue of compensation in Russia, please refer to the attached report.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Human Rights Watch. December 1992. Human Rights Watch World Report 1993. New York: Human Rights Watch.
Official Kremlin International News Broadcast (OKINB). 22 October 1992. "Press Conference on the Activities of the Association of Victims of Political Repressions." (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Research Institute. 20 May 1994. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 20. Ustina Markus. "The Russian-Belarusian Monetary Union."
Researcher on Belarusian affairs, RFE/RL Research Institute, Munich. 20 July 1994. Telephone interview.
Attachment
Official Kremlin International News Broadcast (OKINB). 22 October 1992. "Press Conference on the Activities of the Association of Victims of Political Repressions." (NEXIS)