The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

02.11.2017 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: October 2017

The widely announced changes in the Law "On Mass Events" and the introduction of the notification-based principle of some static types of events (pickets, meetings, rallies) in a limited number of locations authorized by local executive bodies will not significantly improve the situation with the implementation of the freedom of peaceful assembly.

02.11.2017 Niakliayeu is the first victim of ‘ruthless liberalization’

The court of Lieninski district of Minsk sentenced yesterday opposition leader Uladzimir Niakliayeu to 10 days of administrative detention, finding him guilty of violating Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code (breaching demonstration rules).

01.11.2017 Opposition leaders Niakliayeu and Statkevich in jail again

Opposition leader Uladzimir Niakliayeu has been sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention allegedly calling to join a protest entitled “March of Angry Belarusians 2.0” in a publication on charter97.org website.

01.11.2017 Human rights activists call for open trial of columnists charged with inciting ethnic hatred

The Belarusian Association of Journalists, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center "Viasna" have issued a joint statement to demand an open hearing of the criminal charges brought against Yury Paulavets, Dzmitry Alimkin, and Siarhei Shyptsenka.

31.10.2017 Alexievich, Bialiatski sign Prague Appeal for Democratic Renewal

Dozens of intellectuals, civil society activists and politicians from different countries have joined the Coalition for Democratic Renewal (CDR), an initiative launched to “go on the offensive against the authoritarian opponents of democracy, and to demonstrate solidarity with the brave people who are fighting for freedoms in undemocratic systems around the world.”

31.10.2017 Lawyer Hanna Bakhtsina loses appeal in disbarment case

The Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk has turned down an appeal filed by defense lawyer Hanna Bakhtsina to challenge the Justice Ministry’s decision, which revoked the counsel’s license due to “lack of professional skills.”

31.10.2017 Activists fined over picket in Barysaŭ

Human rights activist Aleh Matskevich was detained by Barysaŭ police last afternoon, as he was picketing to demand the resignation of Defense Minister Andrei Raukou and prosecution of all those responsible for the death of conscript Aliaksandr Korzhych in a military unit near the city earlier this month. The picket was joined by local opposition activist Ales Abramovich, who was also detained.

30.10.2017 Polish Bar Council expresses 'deep concern' over harrasment of lawyers in Belarus

The Human Rights Commission of the Polish Bar Council would like to express its deep concern regarding the activities of the Bar Qualifications Commission of the Ministry of justice of the Republic of Belarus, aimed against advocates fighting for human rights from the Bar Chambers in Minsk and Mahiliou.

30.10.2017 Human rights activist Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk fined 920 rubles

The court of Baranavičy completed today the trial of local human rights activist Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk, finding him guilty of insulting and disobeying a police officer. As a result, the human rights activist was fined 920 rubles.

27.10.2017 Miklós Haraszti: Belarus human rights record “devastating” as president tightens grip on power

Belarus has a “devastating” record on human rights which has worsened over two decades as the president has consolidated his grip on absolute power, a UN human rights expert has told the General Assembly in New York.

24.10.2017 Secretary-General's Message for 2017 UN Day

"When we achieve human rights and human dignity for all people – they will build a peaceful, sustainable and just world," António Guterres, UN Secretary-General said in a video message marking the annual United Nations Day.

23.10.2017 Monitoring report on mass event "March of Angry Belarusians 2.0". 21 October 2017 in Minsk

On October 21, 2017 the protest "March of Angry Belarusians 2.0" took place in Minsk, organized by the Belarusian National Congress.

23.10.2017 Viasna’s volunteer briefly detained by border guards

Anisiya Kazliuk, an activist of the volunteer service of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", was detained by border guards as she was returning from Lithuania in the evening of October 22.

21.10.2017 Participants of Human Rights Forum call to release detained activists

We, participants of the 4th Belarusian Human Rights Forum, strongly protest against the pre-emptive detention of activists ahead of the protest “March of Angry Belarusians", which was held today, October 21, in Kastryčnickaja Square in Minsk.