05.08.2020 Numerous observers detained on first days of early voting
At least 11 election observers have been detained in various parts of Belarus after the early voting phase was launched on Tuesday, August 4, according to “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” and media reports.
05.08.2020 Accreditation of “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” observers and the start of early voting observation
The quotas of observers at polling stations introduced by CEC Resolution No. 115 made the election process completely inaccessible for independent observation and non-transparent to the public. This is a violation of one of the basic principles of democratic elections — the principle of publicity.
03.08.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: July 2020
The presidential campaign takes place against the background of continuous repression, in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation of society. July was marked by a continued deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, which can be described as a crisis.
03.08.2020 Amnesty International: Armed forces have no business in dealing with protests
On 24 July, Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka publicly stated that he was prepared to use the Armed Forces to “restore order” and put down street protests and demonstrations. This remark was made in the context of an upcoming presidential election on 9 August, in which the incumbent will be seeking re-election for his sixth term. It follows weeks of mass protests against electoral violations across the country, all of them peaceful except those that were brutally dispersed by the authorities which resulted in isolated incidents of police-provoked violence.
31.07.2020 Picks of the week
Minsk courts continue to convict innocent people on trumped-up charges; MFA blocks accreditation of foreign reporters ahead of August 9 election; 13 people arrested over July 14 protest
30.07.2020 Tsikhanouski, Statkevich facing more charges
Opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich and critical vlogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski are facing new criminal charges, the Investigative Committee’s official Telegram channel said.
30.07.2020 Political prisoner Viarhili Ushak released before trial
After two months in detention, political prisoner Viarhili Ushak was released last evening from custody at pre-trial prison No. 1 in Minsk.
29.07.2020 Amnesty International calls to release prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka
Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka.
28.07.2020 Protect peaceful protesters in Belarus
People around the world are deeply disturbed by images, video footage and reports coming out of Belarus, which expose a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters. Sign the petition demanding that police violence ends now.
24.07.2020 Picks of the week
Electoral authorities banish independent journalists from official information center; political prisoner Siarhei Tsikhanouski awarded short prison term in a mock trial; names of persons arrested over July 14 protest revealed
22.07.2020 “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” demand transparency in voting and vote count
We once again call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure the full exercise of fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Copenhagen Document and other international human rights instruments.
22.07.2020 Independent observers banished from polling stations
The Central Election Commission has limited the number of observers who will be allowed to monitor the process of voting at polling stations, citing coronavirus statistics as the cause for the controversial decision.
21.07.2020 Valery Tsapkala loses registration appeal in Supreme Court hearing
The Supreme Court confirmed at yesterday’s hearing the July 14 decision by the Central Election Commission, which rejected the presidential nomination bid of Valery Tsapkala, one of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s key rivals in the August 9 election.
20.07.2020 Beaten and fined: over 40 journalists detained in 2 months of Belarusian protests
Over 40 representatives of the press have been detained when covering peaceful protests in the last two months, tut.by said. Some of them were beaten, while a few were convicted of “illegal protesting” and “resisting arrest”.
17.07.2020 Picks of the week
25 people detained after filing complaints with the Central Election Commission; RFE/RL reporter beaten and charged with resisting arrest; four people held in criminal case following election protest in Minsk
