News for October 2021

#FreeViasna: Weekly news digest on Viasna’s imprisoned human rights defenders

11.10.2021 #FreeViasna: Weekly news digest on Viasna’s imprisoned human rights defenders

On September 17, dozens of Belarusian and international human rights groups launched #FreeViasna, the campaign of solidarity with the imprisoned human rights activists of Viasna. Here’s the latest news about the Viasna members held behind bars.

EU urges Belarus to move towards death penalty abolition

10.10.2021 EU urges Belarus to move towards death penalty abolition

Video address by Dirk Schuebel, head of the EU Delegation to Belarus, on the occasion of the European and World Day against the Death Penalty

Slovenia resolutely opposes the death penalty in all circumstances

09.10.2021 Slovenia resolutely opposes the death penalty in all circumstances

Statement of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia to Belarus, marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty

Ex-police officer sentenced to 2 years in prison for participating in post-election protests

08.10.2021 Ex-police officer sentenced to 2 years in prison for participating in post-election protests

The Centraĺny District Court of Minsk sentenced political prisoner Yahor Viarshynin to two years in a general-security penal colony, finding him guilty under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (“actions that grossly violate public order”).

Swiss ambassador Claude Altermatt: "The trend towards worldwide abolition of the capital punishment is continuing"

08.10.2021 Swiss ambassador Claude Altermatt: "The trend towards worldwide abolition of the capital punishment is continuing"

On the occasion of the World Day Against the Death Penalty, Switzerland reaffirms its strong commitment to support this trend, to safeguard any achieved progress.

Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations on violations of freedom of association and pressure on human rights organizations

07.10.2021 Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations on violations of freedom of association and pressure on human rights organizations

To date, we know about the forced liquidation of more than 250 civil society organizations. Among them there are numerous human rights organizations.

Human rights defenders call to release 73 people detained in Zeltser case

07.10.2021 Human rights defenders call to release 73 people detained in Zeltser case

Statement by the human rights community of Belarus

Political prisoner Aleh Kulesha sentenced to prison term in another dancing protest trial in Brest

06.10.2021 Political prisoner Aleh Kulesha sentenced to prison term in another dancing protest trial in Brest

The Maskoŭski District Court of Brest has convicted the eighth group of defendants in the series of trials dubbed by journalists and human rights defenders as “dancing protest case”.

Political prisoners punished by solitary confinement for answering letters of solidarity

06.10.2021 Political prisoners punished by solitary confinement for answering letters of solidarity

Political prisoners serving their sentences at penal colony No. 17 in Škloŭ are sent to solitary confinement or punishment cells if they reply to letters of support they receive from people they don’t know.

Remaining human rights organisations liquidated in Belarus

06.10.2021 Remaining human rights organisations liquidated in Belarus

The Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Legal Initiative, and ‘Zvyano’ have joined over 270 other NGOs that Belarus’ authorities shut down since July this year.

Human rights groups insist on retrials and release of six more convicts

05.10.2021 Human rights groups insist on retrials and release of six more convicts

Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community

Andrei Paluda on the death penalty: “Without systemic changes, there will be no serious progress in solving the problem”

05.10.2021 Andrei Paluda on the death penalty: “Without systemic changes, there will be no serious progress in solving the problem”

The annual Week Against the Death Penalty will be held in Belarus for the ninth time from October 5 to 10.

Viasna shortlisted for Human Rights Tulip award

05.10.2021 Viasna shortlisted for Human Rights Tulip award

Viasna is among the twelve human rights organizations and activists shortlisted for the Human Rights Tulip 2021 award, the Government of the Netherlands, the sponsor of the prize, said.

Over 110 arrested after death of KGB officer

05.10.2021 Over 110 arrested after death of KGB officer

Between September 29 and October 1, Belarusian security forces arrested dozens of people for commenting on the deaths of IT worker Andrei Zeltser and KGB officer Dzmitry Fedasiuk.

Release Rabochy Rukh activists Ihar Mints and Natallia Belabekhava

05.10.2021 Release Rabochy Rukh activists Ihar Mints and Natallia Belabekhava

Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations

2024: May 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