News on the topic: elections-2020
11.08.2020 FIDH: Police Must Refrain from Excessive Force Against Peaceful Protesters
One person was killed, dozens were hospitalised and hundreds more were detained during mass protests in Belarus following the announcement of preliminary results of yesterday’s presidential elections. Riot police used stun grenades, rubber bullets and water cannons to crack down on peaceful protesters in Minsk and other cities of Belarus, in violation of international human rights law. FIDH reiterates its call for authorities to refrain from violence against peaceful protesters.
11.08.2020 UN chief following post-election developments ‘with great concern’
The UN Secretary-General has appealed for restraint in Belarus, where ongoing clashes between police and demonstrators continue following disputed elections held on Sunday.
11.08.2020 Amnesty International: Police unleash appalling violence on peaceful protesters
Amnesty International’s delegates in the Belarusian capital Minsk witnessed appalling violence unleashed by riot police on peaceful protesters who took to the streets last night after official announcements on election results, which protesters view as rigged.
11.08.2020 “Worst election ever”: Domestic observers sum up disrupted monitoring
The domestic election observation campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” has presented a report on the interim results of observation of the presidential election at a press conference on August 10. The human rights activists called the 2020 vote “the worst election ever”.
11.08.2020 ODIHR gravely concerned at situation in Belarus following presidential election
Amidst intimidation and disproportionate police force against protesters in Belarus following reports of serious administrative misconduct during yesterday’s presidential election, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) calls for dialogue and urges the authorities to refrain from violence and to honestly report detailed election results from all polling stations.
11.08.2020 Second night of protests: Police violence, more injuries, death confirmed
A protester reportedly died last night during a violent clash between demonstrators and riot police in Prytycki Avenue in Minsk, according to the authorities. The Interior Ministry said the man was killed after he tried to cast a self-made bomb. However, the information is not confirmed by any evidence.
10.08.2020 Human rights activists call to end arrests, violence and use of weapons against peaceful civilians
Joint statement by human rights organizations of Belarus
10.08.2020 EU condemns state violence against peaceful protesters
Joint Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi on the Presidential elections
10.08.2020 Hundreds detained in post-election protests. Multiple injured. One reported dead
Several hundreds persons were detained last night after riot police dispersed a series of post-election protests in Minsk and other cities of Belarus.
09.08.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Report on early voting
The restrictions imposed by the CEC on the number of observers at polling stations during early voting made this electoral phase completely non-transparent for independent citizen observation. These restrictions were aimed at disrupting independent observation of this stage, rather than pursuing the declared medical safety measures in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.
08.08.2020 Tsikhanouskaya’s campaign manager detained
Maryia Maroz, manager of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s presidential campaign headquarters, has been detained this afternoon, according to the candidate’s spokesperson Hanna Krasulina.
08.08.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Report on election campaigning
The phase of election campaigning differed significantly from the previous elections by the wide activity of the protest electorate both in Minsk and in smaller cities of Belarus.
08.08.2020 Two protesters in hospital after violent dispersal of cycling rally in Minsk
At least six people were detained last night after riot police and internal troops dispersed a cycling protest in central Minsk.
07.08.2020 Viasna observers jailed in Mahilioŭ
Aliaksandr Burakou and Ales Burakou (aka Alex Raycon), activists of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in Mahilioŭ, have been sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention each.
07.08.2020 Picks of the week
Minsk DJs get 10 days in prison for playing "wrong" song; authorities thwart dozens of campaigning events by alternative candidates; early voting turnout hits record; two "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections" observers lose accreditation
