Georgian electoral authorities to reconsider decision to invite Belarusian CEC to observe local elections
Lidziya Yarmoshyna, chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Belarus. Source: Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections Statement by the “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” September 9, 2021 We, representatives of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”, were extremely surprised and disappointed by the decision of the Central Election Commission of […]
We will not stop our human rights activities.’ – Viasna
Photo: Viasna human rights defender Elena Laptenka who has been taken away by authorities to an Investigative Committee. Her whereabouts are currently unknown. Statement by the Human Rights Center “Viasna” 14 July 2021 On 14 July 2021, the Belarusian authorities again attacked human rights organizations and other NGOs, human rights defenders, and activists: the […]
EPDE strongly condemns attacks against human rights defenders
Photo: Viasna lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich and Board member Valiantsin Stefanovich who were searched by authorities. On 14 July law enforcement officers searched homes and offices of several human rights activists and journalists, including EPDE’s member organizations the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and Belarusian Helsinki Committee. The raids on Belarusian human rights defenders must be seen […]
Human Rights Situation in Belarus: May 2021
Summary of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” report: in May, the authorities continued to actively prosecute people for political reasons. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, since August 2020, more than 3,000 criminal cases have been opened for violating the procedure of holding mass events and protests; according to the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, during […]
Human Rights Situation in Belarus: April 2021
Image: Members of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s presidential campaign on trial in Homieĺ. April 12, 2021 Summary of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” report: during the month, the authorities continued to actively apply criminal prosecution for political reasons. According to the General Prosecutor’s Office, since August 2020, more than three thousand criminal cases have been initiated for […]
Human Rights Situation in Belarus: March 2021
Katsiaryna Barysevich, a journalist at TUT.BY, enters a court room during a trial in Minsk on 19 February, 2021. © 2021 RAMIL NASIBULIN/BELTA/AFP via Getty Images Summary of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” report: in March, the authorities continued to actively prosecute individuals for political reasons. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, criminal cases against […]
Human Rights Situation in Belarus: February 2021
Belsat journalists Katerina Andreyeva and Daria Chultsova sentenced to two years in jail. Source: bbc.com © EPA Summary: in February, the authorities continued to apply criminal prosecution for political reasons. Viasna is aware of at least 102 sentences handed down during the month, with 49 convicts sentenced to terms of imprisonment; there are 258 […]
Viasna statement on the unprecedented attack on Belarusian human rights defenders
On February 16, a wave of searches of human rights defenders took place throughout Belarus. The searches were carried out at the office of the Public Association “Belarusian Association of Journalists”, at the apartments of chairman of the organization Andrei Bastunets, vice-chairmen – Barys Haretski and Aleh Aheyeu, as well as a lawyer – Kristina […]
Journalists and human rights defenders under attack
Apartment of freelance journalist in Gomel after being raided. Image source: Viasna At least 25 human rights defenders, mostly working with the Belarusian Association of Journalists and the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, have been either detained or targeted in police raids this morning (16.02.). Several offices were searched, both in Minsk and across Belarus, […]
Hands off Marfa, hands off Viasna, hands off human rights defenders!
Statement by the Board of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Minsk – February 12, 2021 On February 11, Marfa Rabkova, coordinator of the volunteer service of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. For 25 […]