Weekly report: formation of precinct election commissions

Observation of the presidential election is carried out by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in the framework of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”. SUMMARY on June 24, the authorities completed the formation of precinct election commissions (PECs), which are an important element of the electoral process directly […]
Belarus Election Alert #2

Lukashenka attempts to eliminate his competition. The end of the signature collection phase for contenders seeking to be nominated as a Presidential candidate was accompanied by a wave of further detentions of candidates last week. Presidential election being held “in an atmosphere of fear, constant threats and intimidation” – Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections.
Belarus Election Alert #2

The end of the signature collection phase for contenders seeking to be nominated as a Presidential candidate was accompanied by a wave of further detentions of candidates last week, this time targeting the perhaps most popular participant of the election, ex-banker Viktar Babaryka, as well as other members and the head of his nomination […]
Weekly Report – end of signature collection and further arrests of candidates

The end of the signature collection phase for contenders seeking to be nominated as a Presidential candidate was accompanied by a wave of further detentions, this time targeting the perhaps most popular participant of the election, ex-banker Viktar Babaryka. Observers also report on abuse of administrative resources in Lukashenka’s campaign and that TECs have refused […]
Weekly report: end of signature collection phase accompanied by further arrests

Observation of the presidential election is carried out by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in the framework of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”. SUMMARY the presidential election is taking place against the background of a sharp deterioration of the overall human rights situation in the country, in […]
Belarus Election Alert #1

The Belarusian Presidential election is gearing up to be an exciting race with mass public engagement and protests across the country against the incumbent President. EPDE cooperates with the joint election observation campaign, the “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”. Until the election day on August 9, EPDE will share reports from this observation campaign […]
Belarus Election Alert #1

People line up in Homel to sign a petition supporting the candidacy of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on May 28. Source: rferl.org Will the Presidential election be a challenge for Lukashenka? Candidates’ signature collection and protests against Lukashenka continue amid crackdowns against candidates and activists. The Belarusian Presidential election is gearing up to be an exciting […]
HRDs insist on immediate release of all activists charged under Article 342 of the Criminal Code

Siarhei Tsikhanouski at an election picket in Hrodna. Photo: tut.by Statement by the human rights community of Belarus on the criminal charges against Siarhei Tsikhanouski and six other participants in the May 29 picket in Hrodna Minsk – June 9, 2020 On May 29, during a picket held in Hrodna to collect signatures in […]
Weekly Report – mass arrests and detentions of opposition activists

In this weekly report, observers from HRDFE report that mass arrests and detentions of opposition activists, including members of Tsikhanouskaya’s nomination group, took place in different cities of the country during the week. Observers also note that the CEC interpreted electoral law selectively in the favor of certain candidates, e.g. complaints filed against Lukashenka’s nomination […]
Weekly report: mass arrests and detentions of opposition activists

Observation of the presidential election is carried out by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in the framework of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”. SUMMARY during the period of the report, the registered nomination groups continued to collect signatures to support the nomination of candidates for President of […]