News on the topic: human rights
03.12.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: November 2020
The authorities continued to actively prosecute citizens for political reasons. There are 146 political prisoners held in prisons, as their number continues to increase. A total of over 900 individuals have been targeted by criminal cases during the presidential campaign and in the post-election period.
13.11.2020 Ales Bialiatski: “The fault for Raman Bandarenka’s death lies with the Interior Ministry”
Last night, November 12, a 31-year-old artist Raman Bandarenka died in a Minsk hospital after being beaten by unknown persons believed to be plain-clothed police officers. The Human Rights Center "Viasna" demands the initiation of a criminal case, investigation and punishment for those responsible for Raman's death.
12.11.2020 Say No to Major Sports Event in Belarus Amid Human Rights Crisis
Joint statement by human rights organizations on Ice Hockey World Championship 2021 in Belarus
06.11.2020 OSCE Moscow Mechanism Report Details Widespread Rights Violations in Belarus
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)’s Moscow Mechanism report on Belarus released on November 5 describes sustained human rights violations and abuses committed on a massive scale and with impunity by the Belarusian authorities during the fraudulent August 9 election and its aftermath.
02.11.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: October 2020
During the month, the authorities continued to routinely prosecute citizens for political reasons. There are 101 political prisoners at the moment, and the number continues to increase. The total number of people targeted by criminal cases in the election and post-election period is more than 700 people.
02.10.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: September 2020
During the month, the authorities actively applied criminal prosecution for political reasons. Seventy-four political prisoners continued to be held in detention, and the number continues to grow. The total number of citizens held in criminal cases during the electoral and post-electoral periods has reached 242.
02.09.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: August 2020
Viasna deplores the existence of a deep human rights crisis in the country, which affects almost every aspect of civil and political rights. The crisis has led to gross violations of the rights of thousands of citizens and requires immediate settlement, including with the intervention of international organizations.
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.
31.07.2020 Human Rights Watch: Arrests, Criminal Charges, Police Beatings Ahead of August 9 Presidential Vote in Belarus
Police in Belarus have arbitrarily arrested journalists, bloggers, and political activists ahead of the August 9, 2020 presidential election and pressed charges against two potential candidates, Human Rights Watch said today.
02.07.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: June 2020
The election campaign is taking place against the background of continuous repressions, in an atmosphere of intimidation of society. In June, the overall human rights situation in the country deteriorated sharply.
03.06.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: May 2020
May was marked by a sharp deterioration in the human rights situation and an increase in repression, which is due to the start of the presidential election campaign.
01.05.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: April 2020
The country’s human rights community voiced its particular concern over the government’s current policy to address the coronavirus pandemic crisis. Contrary to the WHO recommendations, the Belarusian authorities continue to conduct mass events, including the nationwide “subbotnik” (unpaid social labor day) and preparations for the May 9 military parade in Minsk, and refuse to introduce a quarantine in educational institutions.
17.04.2020 Belarus in Amnesty International's annual human rights review
Amnesty International has released an annual report on the human rights situation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
02.04.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: March 2020
On March 5, financial police arrested Siarhei Satsuk, journalist and editor of the news site ej.by. According to available information, he is accused of committing a crime under part 2 of Art. 430 of the Criminal Code (receiving a bribe repeatedly or by extortion, or by a group of persons by prior conspiracy or in large amounts).
04.03.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: February 2020
According to human rights defenders, in violation of the principles of a fair trial, Mikita Yemialyianau and Ivan Komar were sentenced to excessively cruel and disproportionate punishment. The human rights community called the convicts political prisoners and requested an immediate re-trial for both defendants.
