26.04.2021 Viasna marks 25 years
25 years ago today, tens of thousands protested peacefully against President Aliaksandr Lukashenka's plans to usurp power. The authorities responded with violence. It was on this very day, April 26, that a group of activists led by Ales Bialiatski decided to launch an initiative which is now known as Viasna.
26.04.2021 New 'godparents' for Belarusian political prisoners
Members of Parliament from Poland, Great Britain and Germany take over godparenthood for Andrzej Poczobut, Andrei Aliaksandrau and Ihar Salavei
24.04.2021 Political prisoner Aleh Korban free after “khimiya” sentence
On April 23, the Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk sentenced Aleh Korban, leader of the civil society initiative “Alternative”, to 18 months of restricted freedom in an open penal colony (“khimiya”). The political prisoner was released in the courtroom and will be free until the sentence becomes final.
23.04.2021 MPs from Great Britain and Ireland take over godparenthood for Dzianis Zhuk, Mark Antonau and Leu Tsialipka
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Nick Smith (House of Commons, Welsh Labour Party, Great Britain), Catherine West (House of Commons, Labour Party, Great Britain) and Deirdre Clune (European Parliament, Fine Gael, Ireland) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
23.04.2021 Prison terms for Belsat TV journalists confirmed in appeal hearing
The Minsk City Court has turned down an appeal filed to challenge the court ruling of February 18 that sentenced Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova to 2 years’ imprisonment.
22.04.2021 Viasna activist Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk walks free after 8 days in jail
Viasna human rights activist Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk was sentenced to 15 days but walked free early after a successful appeal hearing.
22.04.2021 Amnesty International reiterates call to release minor convict ahead of appeal hearing
Mikita Zalatarou’s case is another stark reminder of the violence that awaits people in Belarus, including minors, when they come face to face with this repressive state.
21.04.2021 Three new names on list of political prisoners
Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community
21.04.2021 PACE urges Belarus to carry out comprehensive reform of its electoral system
PACE has urged Belarus to comprehensively reform its electoral system to bring it into line with international standards for democratic elections.
21.04.2021 Death penalty 2020: Despite Covid-19, some countries ruthlessly pursued death sentences and executions
While there was an overall trend of decline, some countries pursued or even increased the number of executions carried out, indicating a chilling disregard for human life at a time when the world’s attention focused on protecting people from a deadly virus.
20.04.2021 HRDs demand retrials and release of 3 more political prisoners
Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community
20.04.2021 Political prisoner Aleksandr Gedzhadze sentenced to 3 years in prison
The Frunzienski District Court of Minsk announced today its verdict in a criminal case against political prisoner Aleksandr Gedzhadze charged under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (group actions that grossly violate public order). Judge Andrei Mlechka sentenced the Russian national to three years in a general-security penal colony.
20.04.2021 Three years of home confinement for mother of three: political prisoner Hanna Sunhurava convicted
The Pieršamajskaha District Court of Minsk has handed down a verdict in the criminal case of political prisoner Hanna Sunhurava. She was accused of committing a crime under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order).
19.04.2021 “Actions of a man who was not heard”: political prisoner Viktar Losik sentenced to 4 years in prison
Judge Katsiaryna Novikava of the Minsk District Court sentenced today political prisoner Viktar Losik to four years in a general-security penal colony, finding him guilty under Art. 339 and 341 of the Criminal Code, “hooliganism” and “vandalizing buildings and damage to property,” respectively.
19.04.2021 Viasna issues new report on protest-related administrative cases
Viasna’s lawyers and analysts have prepared and published a report entitled “Politically Motivated Administrative Proceedings: Standards and Reality in Contemporary Belarus”.
