28.06.2020 2020 Presidential Election: Report on the formation of precinct election commissions
The absence of legal guarantees for equal representation in the election commissions of all political entities participating in the elections, as before, resulted in an arbitrary and discriminatory approach to opposition parties and movements.
26.06.2020 Four critical bloggers charged in Tsikhanouski case
Four bloggers known for their criticism of the current government have been charged under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (group actions that grossly disturb public order) and are facing up to three years in prison
24.06.2020 Amnesty International urges Belarus to stop execution of Kostseu brothers
On 22 May, the Supreme Court of Belarus upheld the death sentences of young brothers Stanislau and Illia Kostseu, aged 19 and 21 respectively. They have appealed to President Lukashenka for clemency. The President has granted clemency only once since coming to power in 1994. If clemency is denied, Stanislau and Illia Kostseu will be executed imminently.
24.06.2020 HRHF: Crackdown by Belarusian Authorities on Opposition Figures, Peaceful Protesters, and Journalists
Human Rights House Foundation strongly condemns the actions in recent days of the Belarusian authorities to violently suppress peaceful protests, silence independent journalists, and intimidate members of the political opposition. These actions represent gross violations of the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly, and expression and attacks on human rights defenders.
23.06.2020 “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to stop pressure on independent observers
“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to refrain from any form of pressure on independent observers.
23.06.2020 Viasna activist sentenced to short prison term in Babrujsk
Siarzhuk Latsinski, Viasna’s activist in Babrujsk, has been sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention on charges of involvement in a protest staged on June 19.
23.06.2020 Civic Solidarity Platform Statement: Presidential Campaign 2020 in Belarus - Violence, Threats, Detentions
OSCE Civic Solidarity Platform Statement
22.06.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Weekly observation report: June 15-21
The presidential election is taking place against the background of a sharp deterioration of the overall human rights situation in the country, in a situation of incessant repression against citizens, including direct participants in the electoral process, which contributes to an atmosphere of fear in society.
22.06.2020 Over 200 peaceful protesters, journalists, rights defenders detained across Belarus
Some 200 peaceful protesters, as well as reporters and human rights defenders, were detained by the police over the weekend, as thousands of people protested the arrest of presidential nominee Viktar Babaryka and his son Eduard.
21.06.2020 Viktar Babaryka charged in criminal case
On June 20, the detained presidential nominee and former CEO of Belgazprombank Viktar Babaryka, who is currently held in the KGB pre-trial prison, faced formal charges in a criminal case, his lawyer Dzmitry Layeuski told interfax.by. The counsel, however, refused to elaborate on the charges, citing a non-disclosure obligation.
19.06.2020 Belarusian human rights defenders call to immediately release Viktar Babaryka and members of his nomination group
Joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations
19.06.2020 EU urges Belarus to immediately release Viktar Babaryka
Statement on recent developments in Belarus by the Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European External Action Service
19.06.2020 Changes in Belarus are truly needed, MEPs say
A group of members of the European Parliament issued a statement on the situation in Belarus, calling on the current government to “listen to the voice of society, which demands change.”
18.06.2020 Presidential nominee Viktar Babaryka, campaign chief detained in new criminal case
Presidential nominee Viktar Babaryka and his son and campaign chief Eduard were detained this morning by the Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee. The two men were reportedly detained after they arrived at the Central Election Commission building to submit part of the signatures collected to support Babaryka’s presidential nomination.
18.06.2020 Violence, threats, detentions. Human rights activists complain to UN special rapporteurs
The Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center "Viasna" have written to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and a number of UN thematic rapporteurs asking them to take all appropriate measures to assist in improving the current human rights situation in Belarus and also in securing fair and democratic elections.
