The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

18.03.2017 ODIHR Director calls on Belarus to uphold rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression in protests

Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed concern over the reported fining and detention of dozens of protestors and human rights activists in Belarus over the last week for their participation in peaceful public assemblies.

18.03.2017 EU calls to release detained protesters in Belarus

"The latest developments in Belarus highlight a clear need for a broader democratisation process in the country. Freedom of association and of assembly needs to be ensured. Recently detained peaceful protesters, including journalists covering the events, must be immediately released," Spokesperson of the European Union External Action Service said in a statement.

17.03.2017 Human rights defender Anatol Paplauny sentenced to 10 days in jail

Anatol Paplauny, Viasna's representative in Homieĺ, has been sentenced today to 10 days of administrative arrest on charges of involvement in a protest on February 19.

17.03.2017 Belarus crackdown: more than 200 arrested or detained in two weeks

The new repression of peaceful protesters currently ongoing in Belarus confirms the absence of political change, declared FIDH and Human Rights Center (HRC) Viasna today.

16.03.2017 Over 60 trials across Belarus: 50 protesters jailed

At least 65 persons have stood trials today in Minsk, Hrodna and Mahilioŭ following yesterday's violent detentions of participants in peaceful protests against President's Decree No. 3.

16.03.2017 HRHF voices concerns over "parasites tax" protests at UN Human Rights Council

"Everybody should be allowed to exercise their right to peaceful assembly," Léa Meindre-Chautrand, International Advocacy Associate at the Human Rights House Foundation, said in a statement to the UN Human Rights Council on March 15.

15.03.2017 Dozens held after legal protest in Minsk, many beaten by police

At least 52 people have been detained after a protest held yesterday in Minsk. Many detentions were marked by excessive use of violence on the part of the police.

15.03.2017 Over 120 protesters, journalists detained in unprecedented crackdown on peaceful dissent since March 3

According to human rights defenders, over 120 persons have been detained since March 3, including opposition activists, journalists and ordinary protesters.

14.03.2017 More activists imprisoned and fined ahead of new protests

The courts in Brest and Hrodna have sentenced several activists to jail terms of up to 15 days on charges of involvement in protests held on February 19. Others were fined for the same offenses.

13.03.2017 Courts convict activists, journalists over protests

The courts in a number of cities across Belarus, including Orša, Babrujsk and Brest have heard today administrative charges brought against peaceful protesters detained following yesterday’s protests. Several reporters were also detained and eventually found guilty of “illegal demonstrating” and other minor offenses.

12.03.2017 Protesters, journalists detained across Belarus

Numerous opposition activists and journalists working for independent media have been detained today before and after protests held across the country, including in Orša, Babrujsk, Kobryn and Brest.

11.03.2017 Protesters sentenced to jail terms in Maladziečna

The Maladziečna District Court has ordered jail terms ranging between 7 and 15 days against a dozen persons detained following yesterday’s protest, including several opposition leaders, Anatol Liabedzka and Vital Rymasheuski, in particular.

11.03.2017 Activists detained ahead of protest in Babrujsk

Four opposition activists were detained last night in Babrujsk.

11.03.2017 Opposition leaders detained after protest in Maladziečna

Several opposition figures, including United Civil Party leader Anatol Liabedzka, Yuras Hubarevich, leader of the For Freedom movement, and Belarusian Christian Democracy co-chair Vital Rymasheuski, were detained yesterday evening after a protest staged in the city of Maladziečna.