News on the topic: freedom of peaceful assembly
24.03.2017 Stop whipping up hysteria and atmosphere of fear in the Belarusian society and ensure respect for human rights
A joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community. 24 March 2017, Minsk
23.03.2017 48 organizations from 24 countries "strongly condemn the continuing wave of detentions and harassment" in Belarus
We, 48 undersigned organizations from 24 countries, strongly condemn the continuing wave of detentions and harassment of peaceful protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society activists, anarchists and opposition party members in Belarus.
20.03.2017 Report on monitoring of the ‘March of non-parasites’ in Minsk. 15 March 2017
The mass event was of a peaceful character (an assembly should be deemed peaceful if “its organisers have professed peaceful intentions and the conduct of the assembly is non-violent”). The participants and organisers did not appeal to violence or aggressive actions.
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 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 Report on monitoring of the March of non-parasites in Hrodna. 15 March 2017
The mass event was of a peaceful character (an assembly should be deemed peaceful if “its organisers have professed peaceful intentions and the conduct of the assembly is non-violent”). The participants and organisers did not appeal to violence or aggressive actions.
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.
15.03.2017 UN Special Rapporteurs concerned about recurring violence against demonstrators in Belarus
Belarus is being urged by a UN human rights expert to stop acts of violence and harassment against demonstrators and to respect freedom of peaceful assembly.
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.
14.03.2017 International human rights groups: Belarus protests in focus
The arrest of dozens of protesters and journalists over the weekend is the “biggest crackdown in years”, Amnesty International said in response to the alarming reports coming from Belarus.
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.
