News for June 2020

Supreme Court quashes death sentence in double murder case

30.06.2020 Supreme Court quashes death sentence in double murder case

The Supreme Court has overturned a death sentence earlier handed down to Viktar Skrundzik, 29, on charges of involvement in the murder of two elderly people near the city of Sluck in January 2019. The case will sent for a re-trial at the Minsk Regional Court.

Viasna condemns persecution of opposition leader Statkevich as politically motivated

30.06.2020 Viasna condemns persecution of opposition leader Statkevich as politically motivated

Mikalai Statkevich, opposition politician, former presidential candidate and ex-political prisoner, is facing criminal charges of “grave breach of public order” (Part 1, Art. 342 of the Criminal Code), his wife Maryna Adamovich said.

We call to stop repressions and pressure on civil society

30.06.2020 We call to stop repressions and pressure on civil society

Statement of Working Group of Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus

Amnesty International calls Tsikhanouski, Babaryka, associates and bloggers prisoners of conscience

29.06.2020 Amnesty International calls Tsikhanouski, Babaryka, associates and bloggers prisoners of conscience

The Belarusian authorities “must end politically motivated prosecutions, intimidation, harassment and reprisals against Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s opponents and their supporters, civil society activists and independent media,” Amnesty International said today.

Amnesty International: Bloggers and activists arrested in purge ahead of the presidential election must be released

28.06.2020 Amnesty International: Bloggers and activists arrested in purge ahead of the presidential election must be released

The Belarusian authorities are carrying out a full-scale purge of dissenting voices, using repressive laws to stifle criticism ahead of the elections, where President Alyaksandr Lukashenka is running for the sixth consecutive term. Opposition candidates, supporters, and independent media have faced arbitrary arrest, hefty fines, and incarceration. Now those active on social media are being targeted.

2020 Presidential Election: Report on the formation of precinct election commissions

28.06.2020 2020 Presidential Election: Report on the formation of precinct election commissions

The absence of legal guarantees for equal representation in the election commissions of all political entities participating in the elections, as before, resulted in an arbitrary and discriminatory approach to opposition parties and movements.

Four critical bloggers charged in Tsikhanouski case

26.06.2020 Four critical bloggers charged in Tsikhanouski case

Four bloggers known for their criticism of the current government have been charged under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (group actions that grossly disturb public order) and are facing up to three years in prison

Amnesty International urges Belarus to stop execution of Kostseu brothers

24.06.2020 Amnesty International urges Belarus to stop execution of Kostseu brothers

On 22 May, the Supreme Court of Belarus upheld the death sentences of young brothers Stanislau and Illia Kostseu, aged 19 and 21 respectively. They have appealed to President Lukashenka for clemency. The President has granted clemency only once since coming to power in 1994. If clemency is denied, Stanislau and Illia Kostseu will be executed imminently.

HRHF: Crackdown by Belarusian Authorities on Opposition Figures, Peaceful Protesters, and Journalists

24.06.2020 HRHF: Crackdown by Belarusian Authorities on Opposition Figures, Peaceful Protesters, and Journalists

Human Rights House Foundation strongly condemns the actions in recent days of the Belarusian authorities to violently suppress peaceful protests, silence independent journalists, and intimidate members of the political opposition. These actions represent gross violations of the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly, and expression and attacks on human rights defenders.

“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to stop pressure on independent observers

23.06.2020 “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to stop pressure on independent observers

“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to refrain from any form of pressure on independent observers.

Viasna activist sentenced to short prison term in Babrujsk

23.06.2020 Viasna activist sentenced to short prison term in Babrujsk

Siarzhuk Latsinski, Viasna’s activist in Babrujsk, has been sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention on charges of involvement in a protest staged on June 19.

Civic Solidarity Platform Statement: Presidential Campaign 2020 in Belarus - Violence, Threats, Detentions

23.06.2020 Civic Solidarity Platform Statement: Presidential Campaign 2020 in Belarus - Violence, Threats, Detentions

OSCE Civic Solidarity Platform Statement

2020 Presidential Election. Weekly observation report: June 15-21

22.06.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Weekly observation report: June 15-21

The presidential election is taking place against the background of a sharp deterioration of the overall human rights situation in the country, in a situation of incessant repression against citizens, including direct participants in the electoral process, which contributes to an atmosphere of fear in society.

Over 200 peaceful protesters, journalists, rights defenders detained across Belarus

22.06.2020 Over 200 peaceful protesters, journalists, rights defenders detained across Belarus

Some 200 peaceful protesters, as well as reporters and human rights defenders, were detained by the police over the weekend, as thousands of people protested the arrest of presidential nominee Viktar Babaryka and his son Eduard.

Viktar Babaryka charged in criminal case

21.06.2020 Viktar Babaryka charged in criminal case

On June 20, the detained presidential nominee and former CEO of Belgazprombank Viktar Babaryka, who is currently held in the KGB pre-trial prison, faced formal charges in a criminal case, his lawyer Dzmitry Layeuski told interfax.by. The counsel, however, refused to elaborate on the charges, citing a non-disclosure obligation.

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