15.10.2020 Babaryka and Kalesnikava’s lawyer to be disbarred
The Ministry of Justice has ordered today to revoke the license of Aliaksandr Pylchanka, counsel for arrested opposition leaders Viktar Babaryka and Maryia Kalesnikava. The ruling is not final, but it is likely to be approved by the Bar Association.
13.10.2020 Two more PandaDoc prisoners walk free
Political prisoners Yulia Shardyka and Uladzislau Mikhalap have been released today, according to their lawyers.
13.10.2020 Viasna calls to drop criminal charges against volunteer Andrei Chapiuk
Statement by the Board of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”
12.10.2020 600 detained in violent dispersal of Sunday protests
Some 600 people were detained following yesterday’s protests held in Minsk and other cities of Belarus. Most of them were arrested in the capital during the violent dispersal of a peaceful gathering in central Minsk in the afternoon and a series of smaller protests held in the city’s districts in the evening.
10.10.2020 On World Day against the Death Penalty, EU and CoE call on Belarus to end executions
Today on the World and European Day Against the Death Penalty, the European Union and the Council of Europe reaffirm their opposition to the use of capital punishment in all circumstances and call for the universal abolition of the death penalty. We welcome the continued decline in the use of the death penalty, confirming the overall trend towards universal abolition.
08.10.2020 Human rights activists present report on human rights situation after August 9 election
On Thursday, October 8, representatives of the Belarusian human rights coalition presented a report entitled “Belarus After Election”, which contains information about the human rights situation in Belarus in the post-election period. The experts focused on the rights to life, personal freedom and humane treatment, as well as freedom from torture. The report also touches on violations of the rights of journalists and children.
07.10.2020 20 new names on list of political prisoners
Human rights defenders call to release all persons facing "rioting" charges. Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
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.
07.10.2020 "A paramedic came and started beating people." Survivor stories
18-year-old Illia was detained on August 11 near Pushkinskaya metro station when he was driving to his native city. He told Viasna how inhumanely he was treated and beaten in the police department and in the detention center in Akrescin Street.
06.10.2020 Courts convict participants in Sunday protest
A total of 188 persons have been convicted of “illegal protesting” following their involvement in the March for the Liberation of Political Prisoners held on October 4.
05.10.2020 "White paint was poured on my head. It was like a sign to beat me harder." Survivor stories
Stas Dziadou was detained on August 11 in Minsk next to the Peoples' Friendship Park. Stas and his friend were walking along Arlouskaya Street when they were overtaken by two vans with tinted windows. A law enforcement officer wearing a green uniform came out. The couple asked him how dangerous it was to go forward.
05.10.2020 250 detained in eighth weekly post-election protest
Some 250 protesters were detained during yesterday’s demonstrations held in Minsk and other cities of Belarus, including Brest, Salihorsk, Mahilioŭ, Babrujsk and Hrodna.
03.10.2020 Human rights groups call to release three opposition activists facing rioting charges
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
02.10.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: September 2020
During the month, the authorities actively applied criminal prosecution for political reasons. Seventy-four political prisoners continued to be held in detention, and the number continues to grow. The total number of citizens held in criminal cases during the electoral and post-electoral periods has reached 242.
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.
