News for November 2021

Brothers sentenced to “khimiya” terms over August 2020 protests

30.11.2021 Brothers sentenced to “khimiya” terms over August 2020 protests

The Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk sentenced today two political prisoners, brothers Aliaksei, 42, and Aliaksandr, 40, Rusetskis, to three and two and a half years of “khimiya” (restricted freedom in an open penitentiary). Both were released in the courtroom.

Viasna wins Marion Dönhoff Prize

30.11.2021 Viasna wins Marion Dönhoff Prize

The Human Rights Center “Viasna”, together with politician and lawyer Gerhart Baum, won the German Marion Dönhoff Prize for “international understanding and reconciliation,” ZEIT publishing group said.

Journalist Iryna Slaunikava is a political prisoner

30.11.2021 Journalist Iryna Slaunikava is a political prisoner

Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus

Human rights organizations call to release five new political prisoners

29.11.2021 Human rights organizations call to release five new political prisoners

Joint statement by the human rights community in Belarus

#FreeViasna: Weekly news digest on Viasna’s imprisoned human rights defenders

29.11.2021 #FreeViasna: Weekly news digest on Viasna’s imprisoned human rights defenders

On September 17, dozens of Belarusian and international human rights groups launched #FreeViasna, the campaign of solidarity with the imprisoned human rights activists of Viasna. Here’s the latest news about the Viasna members held behind bars.

German MPs join godparenthood campaign to support political prisoners in Belarus

29.11.2021 German MPs join godparenthood campaign to support political prisoners in Belarus

Members of Parliament from Germany adopt political prisoners Tatsiana Astrouskaya, Andrei Audzeyeu and Ruslan Linnik

Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova facing 20 years on 11 charges

29.11.2021 Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova facing 20 years on 11 charges

Marfa (Maryia) Rabkova, a political prisoner and coordinator of Viasna’s network of volunteers, has been charged with eleven criminal offenses and faces up to 20 years in prison, her family said quoting a recent letter from the prisoner.

PEN International calls to release Belarusian PEN member Ales Bialiatski

27.11.2021 PEN International calls to release Belarusian PEN member Ales Bialiatski

The organisation calls for his immediate and unconditional release and for all charges against him to be dropped.

MPs from Germany, Austria and the UK adopt political prisoners Ala Lapatka, Henadz Mazheika and Dzmitry Tur

26.11.2021 MPs from Germany, Austria and the UK adopt political prisoners Ala Lapatka, Henadz Mazheika and Dzmitry Tur

As part of Libereco’s solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou, Kassem Taher Saleh (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens), Lukas Mandl (European Parliament, European People’s Party; Austrian People’s Party) and Jamie Stone (UK Parliament, Liberal Democrats) have taken on a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.

Teacher temporarily released after conviction on protesting charges

25.11.2021 Teacher temporarily released after conviction on protesting charges

The Lieninski District Court of Minsk sentenced political prisoner Aliaksei Minau to three years of restricted freedom in an open penitentiary (“khimiya”). The convict was released in the courtroom to wait for an appeal hearing.

Human rights defenders call to release 7 more protesters

25.11.2021 Human rights defenders call to release 7 more protesters

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

Happy birthday, Tatsiana!

24.11.2021 Happy birthday, Tatsiana!

Tatiana Lasitsa, a political prisoner and a volunteeer of Viasna, is celebrating her birthday today. Congratulate her on her special day!

Football fans imprisoned over post-election protest in Mazyr

23.11.2021 Football fans imprisoned over post-election protest in Mazyr

Judge Halina Knizhonak sentenced Daniil Skipalski, Aliaksandr Suzko, Pavel Dvorak and Aliaksandr Tsimashenka to three years in a general-security penal colony, and Kiryl Kanapatski to three years and six months in prison.

Political prisoner sentenced to 18 months in prison for six comments in Telegram chats

23.11.2021 Political prisoner sentenced to 18 months in prison for six comments in Telegram chats

The trial lasted almost two months. Markavets has been in custody for six months.

10 more persons in defamation cases listed as political prisoners

23.11.2021 10 more persons in defamation cases listed as political prisoners

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

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