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Activists protest expected extradition of Jehovah’s Witness to Russia

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Activists protest expected extradition of Jehovah’s Witness to Russia

Belarus should not extradite Nikolai Makhalichev, a Jehovah’s Witness detained in the town of Haradok, to Russia, where he is facing unfounded charges of “extremism” in Russia, and years in prison if convicted, Amnesty International said in an urgent appeal to Belarusian Prosecutor General.

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Authorities increasingly prosecute critical journalists and bloggers; domestic and foreign organizations urge to release investigative journalist Siarhei Satsuk; human rights defenders alarmed by situation in prisons amid coronavirus outbreak

Position of human rights organizations on the arrest and detention of Siarhei Satsuk

On March 25, Siarhei Satsuk, journalist and chief editor of the Internet daily “Ezhednevnik”, was arrested in Minsk. He was remanded in custody on March 26. On March 26 and 27, searches were carried out at Ezhednevnik’s office and in Satsuk’s apartment; office equipment and documents were seized.

Human Rights Situation in Belarus: March 2020

On March 5, financial police arrested Siarhei Satsuk, journalist and editor of the news site ej.by. According to available information, he is accused of committing a crime under part 2 of Art. 430 of the Criminal Code (receiving a bribe repeatedly or by extortion, or by a group of persons by prior conspiracy or in large amounts).

Civil society alarmed by lack of reliable information on COVID-19 outbreak in Belarus

The Belarusian Association of Journalists has called on the government to provide full, accurate and regular updates on the current situation with the coronavirus disease, as lack of information has led many to believe the country’s authorities are downplaying the spread of the infection.

Appeal hearing halves sentence for anarchists Yemialiyanau and Komar

The Minsk City Court has commuted the 7-year prison sentence earlier imposed on anarchists Mikita Yemialiyanau and Ivan Komar. The new terms are 4 years for Yemialiyanau and 3 ½ years for Komar, the appeal court concluded.

Why are convicted anarchists Yemialyianau and Komar Belarus’s new political prisoners?

On March 27, the Minsk City Court is expected to hear appeals in the case of convicted anarchists Mikita Yemialyianau and Ivan Komar. If upheld, their sentences will become final and the two activists will be sent to serve 7 years in prison. The Human Rights Center “Viasna” analyzed the sentences delivered on February 12 and offers a detailed explanation of why Yemialyianau and Komar are Belarus’s new political prisoners.

About the Local and What All Hold in Common

Belarusian Human Rights Activist Ales Bialiatski in Conversation with Olga V. Solovieva

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COVID-19 affects the rights of prisoners, peaceful protesters, and future presidential candidates; convicted trade union activist faces fewer restrictions; victim of police violence gets new chance to punish perpetrators

Opposition activist facing 6 years in prison on vandalism charges

Pilip Shaurou, an activist of the Young Front opposition group, has faced formal charges, according to his wife Volha.

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Viasna writes to UN to complain about persecution of peaceful protesters and bloggers; death convicts' sister launches petitions to save her brothers' lives; HRDs alarmed by proposals to criminalize "LGBT propaganda" and raise age of consent for same-sex relationships