BELARUS: “The Girls-328,” victims of punishment instead of rehabilitation
By Olga Karatch, director of Nash Dom/ Our House (Belarus) for Human Rights Without Frontiers
HRWF (23.12.2024) – In Belarus, the regime’s crackdown on young women under the guise of combating drug trafficking has led to the alarming rise of “Girls-328.” These underage girls, often victims of exploitation, neglect, and desperation, are imprisoned under Article 328 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, which criminalizes small non-violent drug-related offenses. The law has disproportionately affected young women, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. This has attracted the attention of the Belarusian non-governmental organization Nash Dom (Our House) and its condemnation of the State’s punitive approach to vulnerable adolescents. In 2018, Nash Dom launched the “Girls-328” campaign to raise awareness about this issue and advocate for the release of these minor girls from Belarusian prisons.
Who are the Girls-328?
The term “Girls-328” refers to young women, usually between the ages of 14 and 18, who have been convicted under Article 328, which targets those involved in small non-violent drug offenses in Belarus. This law has faced criticism of Nash Dom for its harshness, as it punishes children, many of whom are coerced or manipulated into the drug trade due to extreme socio-economic pressures. Many of the underage girls are victims of their circumstances—ranging from broken families and economic hardship to manipulation by older individuals, including romantic partners who exploit them.
Since the campaign’s launch, the number of Girls-328 has steadily increased. In 2021 alone, 17 girls were detained or convicted under this law, and by early 2022, the number had grown by another seven. These girls, often abandoned by society, rarely have their stories told in the media, and their suffering is often ignored.
The stories behind the numbers
Each Girl-328 has a unique story, but many share common themes of abuse, neglect, and manipulation. For example, Nastya, a 16-year-old girl from a regional center in Belarus, became involved in the drug trade after responding to an online job advertisement. She was promised work in the capital and was paid to transport drugs. Despite her previously unblemished reputation as a good student, Nastya’s life took a tragic turn as she became caught in a cycle of crime that she never intended.
Similarly, Vika, a teenager from Gomel, was motivated by the desire to support her mother and child but found herself involved in drug distribution. She used the money she earned to help her family, yet it ultimately led to her imprisonment. In other cases, like two teenage girls from Slonim, young women were coerced into becoming drug couriers after being abandoned by their families. In these circumstances, quick money seemed like the only solution to their desperate situation, despite the long-term consequences.
Conditions in Belarusian prisons: a devastating reality
The conditions in which these young girls are held are grim. They are often incarcerated in the same penal colonies as adult women, subjecting them to physical and psychological abuse. Dormitories are overcrowded, with little privacy or comfort. The girls are forced to perform hard labor for minimal pay—sometimes as little as $10 per month—while failing to meet quotas results in further punishment.
While Belarusian authorities claim that the girls receive educational opportunities in prison, such as training to become teachers or psychologists, the reality is far different. The so-called educational programs do little to prepare them for life after prison. Most of their time is spent isolated, undergoing forced labor, or dealing with the overwhelming psychological toll of imprisonment.
The impact of imprisonment: stigmatization and limited opportunities
The consequences of being incarcerated under Article 328 extend far beyond the prison walls. Upon their release, these young women face immense difficulties in reintegrating into society. The stigma of having a criminal record makes it nearly impossible to find employment, continue education, or form meaningful relationships. Many are ostracized, branded as criminals for actions they were often pushed into out of desperation. The long-lasting psychological trauma from their imprisonment further complicates their reintegration, trapping them in a cycle of hardship and social exclusion.
The need for change
The plight of the “Girls-328” highlights the failure of the Belarusian government to protect its most vulnerable citizens. Instead of offering these girls an opportunity for rehabilitation, the state punishes them for actions that stem from systemic failures such as poverty, lack of education, and dysfunctional family structures. The criminalization of these girls is a reflection of a broader societal problem where vulnerable populations, especially women and children, are punished rather than supported.
The “Girls-328” campaign of Nash Dom calls for an end to the criminalization of these young women and advocates for a more rehabilitative approach to juvenile justice. The focus should be on addressing the root causes of their actions, such as poverty and neglect, and providing them with the support they need to break free from the cycle of crime. It is essential that the Belarusian government be held accountable for its mistreatment of these girls and that the international community takes action to demand justice.
The role of “ Nash Dom ” and the campaign for justice
Since 2018, Nash Dom has been at the forefront of efforts to raise awareness about the “Girls-328” and advocate for their release. Through research, advocacy, and legal support, the organization works to shed light on the systemic issues that contribute to the criminalization of vulnerable young women in Belarus. Nash Dom calls for the decriminalization of drug offenses for minors and urges the establishment of social programs that focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. These efforts aim to provide the support these young women need to reintegrate into society and build a better future.
A call for systemic change in Belarus
The case of the “Girls-328” reflects a broader human rights crisis in Belarus, where the state consistently targets vulnerable populations to maintain control. The treatment of these young women is emblematic of a government that prioritizes repression over rehabilitation. The “Girls-328” campaign is not just about justice for these young women—it is a call for systemic reform in the criminal justice system, particularly concerning vulnerable minors.
The stories of these girls are not isolated incidents but part of a much larger issue that requires urgent attention. The international community must stand in solidarity with organizations like Nash Dom and support their efforts to seek justice for the “Girls-328.” It is only through collective action that we can hope to break the cycle of injustice and offer these young women the opportunity for a better future.
Conclusion
The “Girls-328” are victims of a broken system—a system that punishes rather than protects its most vulnerable citizens. Their stories must be heard, and the Belarusian government must be held accountable for its actions. The “Girls-328” campaign remains committed to advocating for their release, for a change in the system that criminalizes young women, and for a future where rehabilitation and support replace punishment. The fate of these young women should be a reminder to the world of the importance of standing up for justice and human rights.