Human Rights Situation in Belarus in 2021
Viasna released an analytical review on the human rights situation in Belarus in 2021. Human rights observers state that criminal and administrative persecution, arbitrary arrests, dismissals and expulsions have become the main tools of authorities for retaining power and repressing opponents, critics of the regime, and dissidents.
#FreeViasna – we demand the release of Viasna members on first anniversary of crackdown
On the first anniversary of the unprecedented crackdown on the Human Rights Center Viasna (“Viasna”) in Belarus, 23 international and Belarusian human rights organizations are launching a campaign to demand the release of seven detained Viasna members, and highlight the plight of hundreds of others, who have been prosecuted and jailed solely for exercising their […]
EPDE calls on the international community to support Belarusian Helsinki Committee
Peaceful demonstration in Minsk, 16 August 2020. Source: Yulia Khvoshch / Mostphotos The Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC), a founding member of the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), is another Belarusian human rights organization threatened with a liquidation lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Justice. The lawsuit is part of a broad campaign by […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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 631 people have been filed with the courts; more than 400 protesters have already been convicted. The Human Rights Center “Viasna” knows the names of 999 people […]
Human Rights Situation in Belarus: February 2021
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 political prisoners in places of detention, as their number continues to increase. The total number of criminal cases […]