News on the topic: amnesty

Belarus: Politically motivated trial against former prisoner of conscience starts behind closed doors

17.10.2019 Belarus: Politically motivated trial against former prisoner of conscience starts behind closed doors

The Belarusian authorities must uphold the right of former prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka to a fair trial and ensure his hearing is open to the public, Amnesty International said ahead of the start of his trial on 17 October.

Lawyer Pavel Sapelka: State has replaced the system of parole with giveaway amnesties

14.05.2015 Lawyer Pavel Sapelka: State has replaced the system of parole with giveaway amnesties

May 13 The House of Representatives of the National Assembly adopted in the first and second reading a bill on amnesty in connection with the 70th anniversary of the Victory. According to the Minister of Internal Affairs Ihar Shunevich if the amnesty law comes into force, it will concern some 8,600 convicts, 2.2 thousand which will be released from prison. Will there be political prisoners among them?

Global response to atrocities by states and armed groups "shameful and ineffective"

25.02.2015 Global response to atrocities by states and armed groups "shameful and ineffective"

“2014 was a catastrophic year for millions caught up in violence. As people suffered an escalation in barbarous attacks and repression, the international community has been found wanting,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

Ales Bialiatski is under prisoner amnesty

25.06.2014 Ales Bialiatski is under prisoner amnesty

Amnesty International welcomes the release of Belarusian prisoner of conscience Ales Bialiatski after nearly three years behind bars. The organizations remains concerned that his release was not unconditional and that two remaining prisoners of conscience remain in prison.

Can political prisoners count on release under amnesty?

22.04.2014 Can political prisoners count on release under amnesty?

On April 21, it became known that the parliament was expected to review a bill on amnesty in 2014. However, the national legal portal has not yet published the document.

Two years on and the grip tightens on basic freedoms in Belarus

18.12.2012 Two years on and the grip tightens on basic freedoms in Belarus

On 19 December 2010, following a presidential poll during which Alyaksandr Lukashenka was elected for a fourth term as President of Belarus, 30,000 protesters gathered in central Minsk to demand a second round of elections.

Belarus evicts leading human rights organization

27.11.2012 Belarus evicts leading human rights organization

A leading Belarusian human rights NGO had its office confiscated in the capital Minsk on Monday, in what Amnesty International called a blatant violation of Belarus’ international human rights obligations.

26.07.2012 Pavel Seviarynets denied amnesty

Pavel Seviarynets, one of the persons convicted for involvement in the 19 December 2010 post-election protest and co-chair of the Belarusian Christian Democracy’s organizing committee, has been officially denied amnesty, the BelaPAN news agency reports.

Valiantsin Stefanovich: “Amnesty bill was politicized by the authorities”

11.07.2012 Valiantsin Stefanovich: “Amnesty bill was politicized by the authorities”

The deputy head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” told why there was no use waiting for the release of political prisoners under the recently adopted law on amnesty and pointed that the authorities artificially deprived the imprisoned opponents of the regime to be released on parole.

27.06.2012 House of Representatives adopts law on amnesty in two readings at a time

Minister of Internal Affairs, General-Mayor of Police Ihar Shunevich presented the draft bill to the members of the House of Representatives.

Valiantsin Stefanovich: "The new law on amnesty is totally politically motivated, and most political prisoners are "violators"

19.06.2012 Valiantsin Stefanovich: "The new law on amnesty is totally politically motivated, and most political prisoners are "violators"

Human rights defenders have condemned the draft Law on Amnesty submitted to Parliament on June 15, calling it over-politicized. Meanwhile, Lukashenka said at a special meeting that "there should be no politics there" and that "everything must be honest."

Belarus: Continuing Human Rights Concerns

13.06.2012 Belarus: Continuing Human Rights Concerns

Submission to the 20th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Mikalai Autukhovich waits for meeting with mother and has no hopes for amnesty

06.06.2012 Mikalai Autukhovich waits for meeting with mother and has no hopes for amnesty

Leanid Haravy, an activist of the Movement “For Freedom” from Haradok, maintains correspondence with political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich. Having received a letter from Hrodna prison, he decided to tell readers of “Viasna”s site about the things the prisoner writes, what are his thoughts and hopes.

02.05.2012 Ales Bialiatski may not be amnestied because of new financial claims

Ales Bialiatski, a prominent human rights activist and head of the Human Rights Center "Viasna, reports about deterioration in confinement conditions in prison due to new claims of the Pershamaiski district court of Minsk.

Belarus must release bodies of convicts executed over Minsk metro bombing

20.03.2012 Belarus must release bodies of convicts executed over Minsk metro bombing

The execution of two men convicted of carrying out a deadly metro bombing last year in Minsk has been condemned by Amnesty International as it called on the Belarus authorities to release the bodies to their families for burial.

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