First international reactions to the declaration of Viasna an 'extremist formation'

The international community is alarmed by the news that Viasna has been declared an 'extremist formation' by the authorities in Belarus.

“This week’s decision by authorities to declare the country’s leading human rights organisation Viasna as 'extremist' is a further disturbing sign of the ongoing crackdown on civil society, media and other independent voices,” said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk quoted by UN Human Rights on Twitter.

 The Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Matthew Miller also posted:

“The United States condemns the Lukashenka regime’s decision to label @Viasna96 Human Rights Center an “extremist formation.” We stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus and their legitimate demands for accountability and respect for human rights.”

Authorities label Viasna/Human rights in Belarus “extremist formation”

The Viasna Human Rights Center Viasna was recognized as an “extremist formation” by the decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on August 23. On August 24, it became known that about a hundred information resources and online accounts related to Viasna were added to the “List of organizations, formations, individual entrepreneurs related to extremist activities.”