04.08.2014 “Viasna” activists banned from holding August 4 pickets in ten cities

Applications for pickets for release of political prisoners, filed by human rights activists within the framework of the Day of Solidarity with Belarusian civil society, were turned down by the local authorities in Navapolatsk, Vitsebsk, Homel, Mozyr, Rechytsa, Zhodzina, Barysau, Baranavichy, Smarhon and Mahiliou.

04.08.2014 Ales Bialiatski urges people to remain optimistic and support civil society in Belarus

August 4, the International Day of Solidarity with Civil Society and Human Rights Movement in Belarus, timed to the anniversary of the arrest of a recent political prisoner human rights activist Ales Bialiatski, is held in different countries of the world.

01.08.2014 Mahiliou authorities ban picket for release of political prisoners

The picket was scheduled on August 4 in the city center close to the city administration.

29.07.2014 Mikalai Autukhovich’s “main things”

During his stay in hospital in Minsk, former political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich in an interview to the Human Rights Center “Viasna” told about his attitude to life and health, which were often at risk during his detention.

29.07.2014 Vasil Parfiankou’s father: Solitary confinement and no letters allowed

“He sent a letter a week ago. He says that our last letter was received back on April 30. So our letters are not delivered to him. Then we sent him newspapers by a registered letter on May 5. He said that he did not receive the registered letter, either. So it goes. He’s in solitary confinement and he sees no one. The watchmen take him to the prison yard to walk for 30 minutes, that’s all his contacts with the world. You can go crazy! Let it be on their conscience,” says Vasil Parfiankou’s father in an interview to Radio Liberty’s Belarus service.

28.07.2014 Prison officers think Statkevich “capable of taking hostages”

The wife of the political prisoner received a letter from the Mahilou prison.

Mikalai Statkevich writes how prison officers treat him, the politician's website informs.

21.07.2014 Imprisoned opposition activist Ihar Alinevich transferred to correctional institution near Vitsyebsk

Imprisoned opposition activist Ihar Alinevich has been transferred to a correctional institution near Vitsyebsk.

18.07.2014 Mahiliou human rights defenders to picket in support of political prisoners

On July 17, a request to hold a picket in support of political prisoners was submitted to the Mahiliou City Executive Committee by local human rights defenders Barys Bukhel and Aliaksei Kolchyn. The application asks for permission to hold a picket in the city center on August 4.

17.07.2014 Former political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich appeals ban on leaving town for treatment

Former political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich, who has been subjected to strict restrictions in connection with preventive supervision, believes that employees of Vaukavysk police department violated his rights by preventing him from traveling to Minsk for examination in a private medical center.

17.07.2014 Political prisoner Lobau visited by mother in prison

Eduard Lobau had a short-term meeting with his mother.

16.07.2014 Amnesty International Netherlands: ‘Overjoyed’ by Ales Bialiatski’s release, will continue struggling for Mikalai Statkevich and Eduard Lobau (photo)

Ales Bialiatski, head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, has received a letter from the Dutch branch of Amnesty International, who organized a bright campaign in support of the Belarusian human rights defender during his imprisonment.

15.07.2014 Mazyr: human rights activist intends to hold picket in support of political prisoners

Human rights defender Uladzimir Malei applied to the Mazyr District Executive Committee to hold a picket in support of political prisoners on August 3.

09.07.2014 Homel human rights activists apply for picket in support of political prisoners

July 9, Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka applied to Homel City Executive Committee to get a permission for holding a picket on August 4. The purpose of the mass event action is to express protest against the existencce of political prisoners in Belarus, express support tothem and demand their immediate release.

08.07.2014 Ex-political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich eventually allowed to come to Minsk for medical treatment

The police of Vaukavysk finally allowed the former political prisoner to go to the Belarusian capital for a medical examination.

07.07.2014 European Commissioner Štefan Füle reminds about main conditions for improvement of relations between EU and official Minsk

Commissioner Füle recalled that any positive change in the EU’s relations with the Belarusian authorities depends on the improvement of human rights and the unconditional release and rehabilitation of all political prisoners.