08.01.2021 Human Rights Situation in Belarus in 2020. Analytical Review by Viasna
The 2020 repressions are unprecedented for the entire history of Belarus and testify to the profound human rights crisis in the country, which has led to the international isolation of Belarus and repeated sanctions by the EU, the U.S. and the UK.
06.01.2021 In 2020, more than 100 people were convicted in politically motivated criminal cases
In the last two months of 2020, dozens of criminal cases finally reached courts. Viasna has been able to track at least 103 sentences handed down in criminal cases related to the events that took place during and after the August 9 presidential election.
31.12.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: December 2020
Viasna experts note the continuation of the intensification of repressions and the further aggravation of the human rights crisis in the country. During the month, the country's authorities did not demonstrate their readiness to resolve the crisis and to engage in real dialogue with society.
29.12.2020 Political prisoners Kireshchanka and Harokh sentenced to 1 1/2 and 7 years in prison
The Court of Navahrudak district sentenced today Dzianis Kireshchanka and Uladzimir Harokh to 18 months and 7 years in prison, respectively, finding them guilty of “organizing riots” (Parts 1 and 3 of Art. 293 of the Criminal Code). Both were earlier called political prisoners by the country’s leading human rights groups, including Viasna.
28.12.2020 Immediately release political prisoners Siarhei Hardziyevich and Dzmitry Kulakouski
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
28.12.2020 Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova to remain in pre-trial detention until at least January 17
Marfa Rabkova’s pre-trial custody has been extended by one more month, after over 90 days in detention, according to a decision by the city Prosecutor’s Office dated December 17. As a result, the manager of Viasna’s network of volunteers will remain in prison until at least January 17.
25.12.2020 Seven more protesters called political prisoners
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
24.12.2020 HRDs demand to release political prisoner Natallia Hershe
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
23.12.2020 Statement on sentencing of political prisoners Aliaksei Ramanau and Mikalai Charniauski
Belarusian human rights defenders call to decriminalize defamation, put an end to judicial harassment and release all political prisoners convicted of slandering or insulting officials or the president, as well as insulting state symbols
22.12.2020 Three protesters convicted in traffic obstruction trial
The Lieninski District Court of Minsk ruled today to sentence Volha Klaskouskaya to two years in prison on charges of “blocking vehicular traffic” during a demonstration on October 13. Two more defendants, Artur Bulauski and a minor Maksim Babich, were sentenced to two and a half and three years of restricted liberty (“home imprisonment”).
19.12.2020 Artsiom Sarokin is new political prisoner
Joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations
17.12.2020 Immediately release political prisoners Tsikhan Kliukach and Safiya Malashevich
Statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
17.12.2020 100 godparents for political prisoners in Belarus
Cem Özdemir, Member of the Bundestag and former long-time leader of Alliance 90/The Greens, is the 100th MP who takes over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus, symbolically adopting journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich.
15.12.2020 Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections issue final report on August 9 presidential election
The non-partisan observation initiative "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections" has published the final analytical report on the results of observation of the 2020 presidential elections in the Republic of Belarus.
11.12.2020 National Human Rights Award winners announced
On the International Human Rights Day, December 10, a coalition of human rights organizations of Belarus held a ceremony in Minsk to present the annual National Human Rights Awards.
