enjoying impunity. Individuals convicted under politically motivated charges faced harsh treatment and inhumane conditions, including denial of adequate healthcare, contact with family members and outdoor exercise. For months at a time there was no information about the whereabouts and condition of Syarhei Tsikhanouski, Maryia Kalesnikava, Ihar Losik, Maksim Znak, Mikalai Statkevich, Viktar Babaryka and other imprisoned high-profile activists, journalists and politicians. In July, imprisoned artist Ales Pushkin died, reportedly from an untreated perforated ulcer, in the city of Hrodna. He had been serving a five-year sentence imposed after unfounded charges. HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS The authorities continued to prevent human rights defenders from carrying out their work, including through arbitrary detention. In March, members of prominent human rights organization Viasna, Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic and Uladzimir Labkovich, were sentenced to 10, nine and seven years’ imprisonment respectively, on false charges.1 Nasta Loika was sentenced on trumped-up charges to seven years’ imprisonment in a closed trial in June. Her name was added to the list of individuals involved in “terrorist activities”. REFUGEES’ AND MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS Belarusian authorities continued to lure refugees and migrants to Belarus with a false promise of easy passage into the EU, then violently forced them across EU borders where they also faced pushbacks by Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Refugees and migrants at the border often faced torture and other illtreatment by Belarusian authorities. DEATH PENALTY Death sentences continued, but no executions were reported. New provisions in the criminal code, adopted in May, extended the application of the death penalty to treason by “officials in 96 responsible positions”, state officials and military officers. RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT According to the WHO, fine particulate air pollution in Belarus, mainly from vehicle emissions, was three times greater than the organization’s recommended safe limit and was responsible for 18% of deaths from stroke and ischaemic heart disease. The country’s climate policies were incompatible with its obligations under the Paris Agreement. 1. “Belarus: Sentencing of human rights defenders a ‘blatant retaliation’ for their work”, 3 March BELGIUM Kingdom of Belgium Asylum seekers were left destitute and Afghan asylum seekers were denied international protection. New care centres for survivors of sexual violence were opened. The government withdrew its proposed ban on attending demonstrations as punishment for certain protest-related crimes. Climate activists were found guilty of trespassing following a peaceful action. Prisoners were detained in inhumane conditions. The Wallonia region continued to make irresponsible arms transfers. Municipalities’ regulation of begging violated human rights. REFUGEES’ AND MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS Although the government partially increased the capacity of its reception system, authorities again left thousands of asylum seekers homeless and destitute by denying them access to accommodation. Despite thousands of court decisions, including decisions by the state’s highest administrative court and the European Court of Human Rights, the government failed to solve the reception crisis caused by its continued failure to provide sufficient shelter capacity.1 The State of the World’s Human Rights