17.08.2020 Interior Ministry pledges to release remaining protesters today. Dozens detainees still missing
The remaining 122 protesters have been released from the detention centers of Belarus, the bulk of them in Žodzina and Brest, the Interior Ministry’s spokesperson said. The list has been published by the Prosecutor General’s Office. Six persons are still being held as part of “ongoing investigations.”
17.08.2020 Viasna insists on criminal charges against security officers amid vast torture evidence
Human rights activists of “Viasna” appealed to the Prosecutor General’s Office demanding immediate initiation of a criminal case against law enforcement officers who abused their authority in dispersing peaceful demonstrators.
14.08.2020 Hundreds of protesters released from prisons. Torture reports mount
Several hundred protesters were released from the three detention centers in Minsk and Žodzina last night, while the exact number of them remains unknown. Many of them were taken away in ambulances immediately after leaving the prisons.
12.08.2020 1,000 detained on third night of protests
Around a thousand protesters were reportedly detained last night after riot police dispersed dozens of local demonstrations in 25 cities across the country. Fifty demonstrators were injured and had to seek medical assistance, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
11.08.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Report on election observation. Full text
The electoral process at all of its stages did not comply with a number of basic international standards for democratic and fair elections and was accompanied by numerous violations of these principles and requirements of national legislation.
11.08.2020 Second night of protests: Police violence, more injuries, death confirmed
A protester reportedly died last night during a violent clash between demonstrators and riot police in Prytycki Avenue in Minsk, according to the authorities. The Interior Ministry said the man was killed after he tried to cast a self-made bomb. However, the information is not confirmed by any evidence.
10.08.2020 Human rights activists call to end arrests, violence and use of weapons against peaceful civilians
Joint statement by human rights organizations of Belarus
10.08.2020 Hundreds detained in post-election protests. Multiple injured. One reported dead
Several hundreds persons were detained last night after riot police dispersed a series of post-election protests in Minsk and other cities of Belarus.
09.08.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Report on early voting
The restrictions imposed by the CEC on the number of observers at polling stations during early voting made this electoral phase completely non-transparent for independent citizen observation. These restrictions were aimed at disrupting independent observation of this stage, rather than pursuing the declared medical safety measures in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.
08.08.2020 Tsikhanouskaya’s campaign manager detained
Maryia Maroz, manager of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s presidential campaign headquarters, has been detained this afternoon, according to the candidate’s spokesperson Hanna Krasulina.
08.08.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Report on election campaigning
The phase of election campaigning differed significantly from the previous elections by the wide activity of the protest electorate both in Minsk and in smaller cities of Belarus.
08.08.2020 Two protesters in hospital after violent dispersal of cycling rally in Minsk
At least six people were detained last night after riot police and internal troops dispersed a cycling protest in central Minsk.
07.08.2020 Picks of the week
Minsk DJs get 10 days in prison for playing "wrong" song; authorities thwart dozens of campaigning events by alternative candidates; early voting turnout hits record; two "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections" observers lose accreditation
06.08.2020 “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to release observer Aliaksandr Burakou
“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to immediately release human rights activist Aliaksandr Burakou and drop the administrative charges he is facing.
06.08.2020 Siarhei Korshun is new political prisoner
Siarhei Korshun, a blogger working with a Telegram channel called “Armiya S Narodom” (“Army with the People”), is facing charges of preparing for and participating in group actions that gravely breach public order (Part 1 and 2, Art. 342 of the Criminal Code).
