News for August 2020

A carpet of bodies: one woman’s ordeal in detention in Belarus

18.08.2020 A carpet of bodies: one woman’s ordeal in detention in Belarus

“It’s change you wanted? Here is some change for you! Want some more? Next time you’ll know when to stay home!” This is what police shouted at the men at one of Minsk’s main detention centres, as they beat them mercilessly.

Libereco: Belarus must immediately release all political prisoners

18.08.2020 Libereco: Belarus must immediately release all political prisoners

Libereco continues to stand in solidarity with all those in Belarus who struggle for the right to have their vote acknowledged. We will continue to campaign for human rights in Belarus and justice for the detainees.

KGB arrests another member of Babaryka’s campaign team

18.08.2020 KGB arrests another member of Babaryka’s campaign team

Siarhei Mikheyonak, a member of Viktar Babaryka’s campaign team, was arrested by the KGB on August 12, nn.by said. The 48-year-old activist collected signatures in support of the presidential nominee and was also registered as an election observer.

Interior Ministry pledges to release remaining protesters today. Dozens detainees still missing

17.08.2020 Interior Ministry pledges to release remaining protesters today. Dozens detainees still missing

The remaining 122 protesters have been released from the detention centers of Belarus, the bulk of them in Žodzina and Brest, the Interior Ministry’s spokesperson said. The list has been published by the Prosecutor General’s Office. Six persons are still being held as part of “ongoing investigations.”

Viasna insists on criminal charges against security officers amid vast torture evidence

17.08.2020 Viasna insists on criminal charges against security officers amid vast torture evidence

Human rights activists of “Viasna” appealed to the Prosecutor General’s Office demanding immediate initiation of a criminal case against law enforcement officers who abused their authority in dispersing peaceful demonstrators.

UK does not accept results of Belarusian presidential elections

17.08.2020 UK does not accept results of Belarusian presidential elections

Foreign Secretary statement on Belarusian Presidential elections

UN Secretary-General: Allegations of torture must be thoroughly investigated

15.08.2020 UN Secretary-General: Allegations of torture must be thoroughly investigated

UN Secretary-General's Spokesman - on Belarus

Belarus must stop attacking peaceful protesters, UN human rights experts say

14.08.2020 Belarus must stop attacking peaceful protesters, UN human rights experts say

UN human rights experts* today strongly criticised Belarus for police violence against peaceful protesters and journalists and large scale detention following a controversial presidential election, and called on the international community to put pressure on Belarus to stop attacking its own citizens.

People are seeking change in Belarus. Instead, they’re being mercilessly beaten and detained

14.08.2020 People are seeking change in Belarus. Instead, they’re being mercilessly beaten and detained

Usually when you walk the streets of central Minsk late at night, it seems like a very youthful city. Now, few people over 30 are out and about. Police apparently have license to hunt anyone who has the audacity to be outside.

Belarusian human rights organizations urge Interior Minister to stop torture and police abuse

14.08.2020 Belarusian human rights organizations urge Interior Minister to stop torture and police abuse

Statement by Belarusian human rights organizations

Hundreds of protesters released from prisons. Torture reports mount

14.08.2020 Hundreds of protesters released from prisons. Torture reports mount

Several hundred protesters were released from the three detention centers in Minsk and Žodzina last night, while the exact number of them remains unknown. Many of them were taken away in ambulances immediately after leaving the prisons.

HRDs appeal to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Thematic Special Rapporteurs

13.08.2020 HRDs appeal to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Thematic Special Rapporteurs

Several leading human rights organizations of Belarus have written to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as a number of thematic Special Rapporteurs urging them to take urgent measures in response to the human rights crisis in Belarus.

Amnesty International: Belarus: Attacks on journalists mount amid protest crackdown

13.08.2020 Amnesty International: Belarus: Attacks on journalists mount amid protest crackdown

The Belarusian authorities must immediately end their assault on journalists, Amnesty International said on 12 August, amid reports of journalists being arrested, beaten, and targeted with rubber bullets while covering the vicious police crackdown on protests. Media workers have also had their cameras smashed and their footage deleted.

Post-election protests. Day 4

13.08.2020 Post-election protests. Day 4

Around 700 people were detained last night after riot police again violently dispersed dozens of peaceful protests in Minsk and other cities of Belarus, including Hrodna, Mahilioŭ, Homieĺ, Brest, Viciebsk, Barysaŭ, Baranavičy, Babrujsk, Lida, Fanipaĺ, Rahačoŭ, Navapolack, Smaliavičy, etc

UN Human Rights Chief condemns violent response of Belarus to post-electoral protests

13.08.2020 UN Human Rights Chief condemns violent response of Belarus to post-electoral protests

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday condemned the violent response of the Belarusian authorities to the peaceful demonstrations held across the country in the aftermath of the presidential election and called for people’s grievances to be heard.

2024: April March February January

2023: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2022: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2021: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2020: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2019: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2018: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2017: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2016: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2015: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2014: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2012: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2011: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2010: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2009: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2008: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2007: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2006: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2005: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2004: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2003: December November October September August July June May April March February January

2002: December November October September

Partnership

Membership