News on the topic: Viasna
13.01.2021 The 2021 World Ice Hockey Championship has no place in Belarus
Joint press release by FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights and the Human Rights Center "Viasna"
28.12.2020 Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova to remain in pre-trial detention until at least January 17
Marfa Rabkova’s pre-trial custody has been extended by one more month, after over 90 days in detention, according to a decision by the city Prosecutor’s Office dated December 17. As a result, the manager of Viasna’s network of volunteers will remain in prison until at least January 17.
14.12.2020 Viasna wins Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello
On December 10, the Human Rights Center “Viasna” was awarded the Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
02.12.2020 Right Livelihood Award: End harassment of human rights activists in Belarus
A total of 29 German and Swedish lawmakers and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas are demanding an end to the persecution and harassment of peaceful protesters and human rights defenders in Belarus, according to an urgent appeal sent to Belarusian authorities on Wednesday.
27.11.2020 Repression against "Viasna" human rights defenders: Increase in persecution before and after election
In 2020, some 20 members and volunteers of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" were persecuted and repressed. Although they carry out entirely peaceful human rights activities, Viasna staff are persecuted by the state in various ways: arrests on flimsy pretexts, administrative and criminal persecution, searches, trials, and other forms of pressure.
18.11.2020 Viasna journalist gets 15 more days in prison
Maryna Kastylianchanka, Viasna member and journalist, has been sentenced to another 15 days of administrative detention, after a mock trial held in the Baranavičy detention facility on Tuesday, November 17.
03.11.2020 Immediately release Viasna member Maryna Kastylianchanka!
Statement of the Board of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in connection with the detention of a member of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Maryna Kastylianchanka and the detention of a volunteer of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Aliaksandr Paplauski
13.10.2020 Viasna calls to drop criminal charges against volunteer Andrei Chapiuk
Statement by the Board of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”
09.10.2020 Viasna site still on blacklist
Valiantsin Stefanovich, a member of the Board of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", has received an answer to his appeal to the Ministry of Information asking to explain the blocking of the human rights website spring96.org.
07.10.2020 42 rights groups: Belarus authorities must stop persecuting civil society and engage in dialogue
Belarusian human rights groups are being targeted for documenting abuses committed by the regime and helping victims. FIDH and 41 of its member organisations demand that the Belarus authorities put an end to all forms of harassment of civil society activists, including Marfa Rabkova, and start a dialogue aiming to reach a peaceful solution consistent with the people’s demand for new, democratic elections.
02.10.2020 Write to Marfa!
Marathon of letters of solidarity for Viasna human rights activist Marfa Rabkova
01.10.2020 Ales Bialiatski and Viasna win Right Livelihood Award
The Swedish Right Livelihood Foundation named today the winners of its annual award, popularly called the Alternative Nobel Prize. This year’s laureates include the Human Rights Center "Viasna" and its chairman Ales Bialiatski.
30.09.2020 Civic Solidarity Platform calls to release Marfa Rabkova
We demand that Belarusian authorities immediately and unconditionally release Marfa Rabkova, terminate criminal proceedings against her and guarantee her physical and psychological security and integrity.
27.09.2020 Marfa Rabkova faces formal charges
Viasna activist Marfa Rabkova has been officially charged under Part 3, Art. 293 of the Criminal Code (training or other preparation of persons for participation in mass riots, or financing of such activities). She remains in custody in pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Minsk.
25.09.2020 Urgent action by Amnesty International: Release human rights defender Marfa Rabkova
Woman human rights defender Marfa Rabkova was detained as a criminal suspect under false pretext on the evening of 17 September, by officers of the Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption (GUBAZIK). Her husband Vadzim Zharomski was also detained but released shortly after. Marfa Rabkova may face criminal charges. She is a prisoner of conscience, targeted solely for her peaceful human rights work and must be immediately and unconditionally released.