News for August 2020
08.08.2020 Charges against arrested strategist Vitaly Shklyarov politically motivated, HRDs say
The human rights community of Belarus considers Vitaly Shklyarov, political scientist arrested in Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s case, to be political prisoner, following reports of the authorities formally charging the Belarusian-born US expert under Part 1, Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order).
08.08.2020 Tsikhanouskaya’s campaign manager detained
Maryia Maroz, manager of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s presidential campaign headquarters, has been detained this afternoon, according to the candidate’s spokesperson Hanna Krasulina.
08.08.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Report on election campaigning
The phase of election campaigning differed significantly from the previous elections by the wide activity of the protest electorate both in Minsk and in smaller cities of Belarus.
08.08.2020 Two protesters in hospital after violent dispersal of cycling rally in Minsk
At least six people were detained last night after riot police and internal troops dispersed a cycling protest in central Minsk.
07.08.2020 Viasna observers jailed in Mahilioŭ
Aliaksandr Burakou and Ales Burakou (aka Alex Raycon), activists of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in Mahilioŭ, have been sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention each.
07.08.2020 Picks of the week
Minsk DJs get 10 days in prison for playing "wrong" song; authorities thwart dozens of campaigning events by alternative candidates; early voting turnout hits record; two "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections" observers lose accreditation
07.08.2020 EU urges Belarus to respect fundamental freedoms as election nears
Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell ahead of the Presidential Elections
07.08.2020 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders calls to drop charges against Viasna activist Aliaksandr Burakou
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.
07.08.2020 Swiss MP takes over prisoner’s godparenthood for Siarhei Sparysh
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights, Claudia Friedl (National Council, SP) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Siarhei Sparysh.
06.08.2020 “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to release observer Aliaksandr Burakou
“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to immediately release human rights activist Aliaksandr Burakou and drop the administrative charges he is facing.
06.08.2020 FIDH and Viasna: As Protests Continue Ahead of Presidential Election, Authorities Must Refrain from Violence
Local human rights groups warn that the mobilisation of the military ahead of the August 9th elections could lead to further escalation of violence. FIDH and Viasna Human Rights Centre call on the Belarusian authorities to refrain from using violence against peaceful protesters and to ensure transparency throughout the electoral process.
06.08.2020 Siarhei Korshun is new political prisoner
Siarhei Korshun, a blogger working with a Telegram channel called “Armiya S Narodom” (“Army with the People”), is facing charges of preparing for and participating in group actions that gravely breach public order (Part 1 and 2, Art. 342 of the Criminal Code).
05.08.2020 Numerous observers detained on first days of early voting
At least 11 election observers have been detained in various parts of Belarus after the early voting phase was launched on Tuesday, August 4, according to “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” and media reports.
05.08.2020 Accreditation of “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” observers and the start of early voting observation
The quotas of observers at polling stations introduced by CEC Resolution No. 115 made the election process completely inaccessible for independent observation and non-transparent to the public. This is a violation of one of the basic principles of democratic elections — the principle of publicity.
03.08.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: July 2020
The presidential campaign takes place against the background of continuous repression, in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation of society. July was marked by a continued deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, which can be described as a crisis.
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