The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

27.03.2021 Ongoing harassment of Viasna members

The authorities continue to summon and interrogate human rights defenders and journalists as part of a criminal investigation dubbed “The Viasna Case”. Over the past week, a dozen more activists have been questioned as witnesses in the case alleging Viasna’s involvement in the financing of the post-election protests.

26.03.2021 Over 200 detained on Freedom Day

More than two hundred people were detained yesterday across the country, the Interior Ministry said in its official Telegram channel. Viasna knows the names of 172 protesters arrested in various cities, including 110 in Minsk.

25.03.2021 Three new political prisoners in Belarus

Joint statement by representatives of the Belarusian human rights community

24.03.2021 Journalist Dzianis Ivashyn is political prisoner

Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations

24.03.2021 Political prisoner Dzmitry Kubarau sentenced to 7 years on ‘rioting’ charges

The Frunzienski District Court of Minsk handed down a verdict in the criminal case of political prisoner Dzmitry Kubarau, who was accused of organizing mass riots (Part 1 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code).

24.03.2021 HRDs launch International Accountability Platform for Belarus

New international accountability platform will contribute to the efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for serious human rights violations in Belarus

23.03.2021 Human rights groups insist on release and retrials for 10 more political prisoners

Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community

22.03.2021 Freedom for political prisoners Volha Zavadskaya and Mikhail Berkas!

Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations

22.03.2021 Political prisoner Dzianis Chykaliou sentenced to 3 years of “khimiya”, released in the courtroom

Judge Alena Bushava sentenced Chykaliou to three years of restricted freedom in an open penitentiary (so called “khimiya”). The convict was released in the courtroom to await an appeal hearing.

19.03.2021 Political prisoner Ihar Bantsar free after Hrodna court issues “khimiya” sentence

Judge Natallia Kozel of the Lieninski District Court of Hrodna has sentenced Ihar Bantsar, punk musician and activist, to one and a half years of restricted freedom in an open correctional facility (so called “khimiya”). The convict was released in the courtroom.

18.03.2021 Authorities step up pressure on Viasna activists

Several human rights defenders working with the Human Rights Center “Viasna” have been questioned in criminal proceedings over the past few days, as the authorities continue to investigate the organization’s alleged involvement in the financing of the post-election protests.

17.03.2021 End reprisals against human rights defenders

Joint statement by Amnetsy International, FIDH, IMS, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights Watch, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Front Line Defenders, IPHR, and People in Need.