Weekly report: crackdowns against nomination groups and 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 as compared to the previous presidential election, this year’s campaign, despite the COVID-19 crisis, is characterized by widespread media and street activity of […]
Weekly Report – crackdowns and discrimination against opposition
This week’s observation report states that this year’s campaign is marked by an increase in election-related protests, triggered also by public discontent over the handling of the COVID-19 crisis. Crackdowns and provocations by authorities against activists and members of other candidates’ nomination groups have continued, and observers report an abuse of administrative resources in collecting […]
MEPs ‘deeply worried’ by nationwide crackdown and discriminatory election processes ahead of Presidential election
In a joint statement, MEPs Robert Biedroń, chair of the delegation for relations with Belarus, and Petras Auštrevičius, EP’s standing rapporteur on Belarus, voiced their concerns over the crackdowns on peaceful protesters and civil society activists ahead of the Presidential election and over the discriminatory approach in which territorial election commissions have been composed, with […]
Persistence of discriminatory approaches in the formation of territorial 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 territorial election commissions (hereinafter TECs) are one of the key instruments in the administration of elections in accordance with the international principles of free […]
Report on the formation of territorial election commissions
Observers were unable to attend meetings on the establishment of territorial election commissions (TECs), which were livestreamed in response to COVID-19, but were still difficult for observers to monitor due to the poor quality of some of the livestreams. Most TEC nominees represent six pro-government parties and compared to the previous Presidential election the number […]
Report on the registration of nomination groups
The CEC has registered 15 groups formed to support the nominations of future presidential candidates. However, it came under attack after it turned down 40 applications, mostly by opposition activists associated with former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich. Well-known blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski, was arrested and thus deprived of the opportunity to apply for the registration of […]
CEC turns down opposition groups’ applications and hinders opposition candidates from running for the Presidency
Opposition activists protest against CEC’s decision to disqualify their nomination groups. May 15, 2020. Image source: Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections The Central Election Commission has registered 15 groups formed to support the nominations of future presidential candidates. These include the incumbent Aliaksandr Lukashenka, former Belgazprombank CEO Viktar Babaryka, ex-MP Hanna Kanapatskaya, BSDH party leader Siarhei Cherachen, […]
Weekly report: Human rights situation deteriorating ahed of election
The Presidential election is scheduled for August 9 in Belarus and so far, authorities have ignored proposals to amend electoral procedures to minimize risks relating to COVID-19. Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections found that basic civil and political freedoms are hampered by significant legislative restrictions and report that the general human rights situation has […]
Weekly report: Human rights situation deteriorating ahead of election
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 2020 presidential election in Belarus was announced against the background of an adverse geopolitical situation in the region, and in the conditions […]
Viasna calls for the immediate release of its arrested members
Riot police detain Siarhey Tsikhanouski, a blogger who announced his candidacy to the Presidency, in Homiel. Photo: Siarhey Lyapinv, Source:belsat.eu Statement of the Board of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Minsk – May 12, 2020 Over the past few weeks, there have been several cases of persecution and judicial harassment of members of our […]