October 2019 Action
Vladislav Sharkovsky was only 17 years old when he began working as a courier for an anonymous internet-based company, delivering packages of unknown contents in Belarus. Though a minor and though the identity of the employer remained unknown to the prosecution, Vladislav was charged with distributing illegal drugs for an organized group and received a 10-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Additionally, he was initially denied access to a parent or a lawyer at the time of his arrest, and during that time was forced to sign documents which were incriminating. Now 19, Vladislav has developed numerous health conditions, but has been repeatedly denied any health care. Additionally, he suffered the trauma of finding another juvenile inmate who had committed suicide, and Vladislav has not been given any care related to this either. His mother has attempted to advocate for him to ensure her son receives basic medical care, but the prison has only threatened reprisals against Vladislav if his mother does not stop speaking on his behalf. Despite possible poor judgment, Vladislav deserves his basic human rights, including medical attention, to be upheld even as he serves this stringent sentence. Write today to call for Vladislav Sharkovsky’s right to medical attention be addressed. (Source: Amnesty International)
Write to:
Maj.-Gen. Oleg Matkin
Head of Penitentiary Directorate
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Brilevskaya Str., 14a
Minsk, 220039, Belarus
Suggested Points:
Express your concern about the irregularities around the arrest and conviction of Vladislav Sharkovsky, including the fact that he was minor but was initially denied access to a parent or a lawyer, that the prosecution never identified Vladislav’s “employer,” and that he was forced to sign incriminating documents without the consultation of a lawyer or an other adult advocate.
Communicate that it is your understanding that Vladislav has suffered numerous health problems, that his health continues to deteriorate, and that he was exposed to a trauma by finding the deceased body of a fellow juvenile inmate. Further communicate that you understate that he has been denied medical treatment for all of these.
Also express that you are deeply troubled that he has been threatened by reprisals because his mother has tried to advocate for him.
Respectfully urge that regardless of his alleged crimes and incarceration, Vladislav’s basic human rights must be preserved, and that he should be provided with immediate medical care, and there should be no consequences for him or his mother if she speaks up for her son.