Human Rights Situation in Belarus: January 2021
Summary: in January, the authorities continued to widely apply criminal prosecution for political reasons. There are currently 220 political prisoners in Belarus, as their number is expected to increase manifold. The total number of persons targeted in criminal cases during the election campaign and in the post-election period has exceeded 1,000, while the Human Rights […]
What are the minimal conditions under which a free and fair presidential election could be conducted in Belarus?
In the context of Belarus’ current political crisis, demands for minimal conditions needed for the holding of free and fair presidential elections in Belarus could be made by the Belarusian public and the opposition if snap elections were to be called. This paper proposes recommendations for all stages of the election cycle and concludes that […]
What are the minimal conditions under which a free and fair presidential election could be conducted in Belarus?
In the context of Belarus’ current political crisis, demands for minimal conditions needed for the holding of free and fair presidential elections in Belarus could be made by the Belarusian public and the opposition if snap elections were to be called. This paper proposes recommendations for all stages of the election cycle and concludes that a competitive election […]
Human Rights Situation in Belarus in 2020
SUMMARY the 2020 presidential election took place against the background of continuous repressions, including against direct participants in the presidential race: members of nomination groups and nominees, as well as bloggers, political activists, journalists and independent observers; the election themselves did not meet the standards of free and democratic elections, as they were marred by […]
Final observation report shows electoral process did not comply with international standards
The electoral process at all its stages did not comply with a number of basic international standards for holding democratic and fair elections and was accompanied by numerous violations of these principles and provisions of national legislation. Significant violations, including the deprivation of observers of the opportunity to observe the counting of voting results, does […]
Final observation report shows electoral process did not comply with international standards
The non-partisan observation initiative “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” has published the final analytical report on the results of observation of the 2020 presidential elections in the Republic of Belarus. The document draws final conclusions about every phase of the election. The electoral process at all its stages did not comply with a number […]
Post-election detainees deprived of the right to a fair trial – finds new report
A coalition of Belarusian human rights defenders presented today a report entitled “Belarus. August 2020: “Justice” for Protesters.” It highlights violations of the standards of a fair trial after tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators protested the rigged presidential election and thousands were detained en masse and were convicted in August 2020. The report was […]
Human Rights Situation in November 2020
People demonstrate during the March of Neighbors on November 29 in Minsk. Photo: belsat.eu Summary: During the month, the authorities continued to actively prosecute citizens for political reasons. There are 146 political prisoners held in prisons, as their number continues to increase. A total of over 900 individuals have been targeted by criminal cases […]
380 detained on Day 106 of post-election protests
At least 379 protesters were detained on Sunday in Minsk and other cities of Belarus, according to Viasna’s database. Only a few were released, while most are expected to stand administrative trials in the coming days. At least 13 detained protesters were taken to hospitals after they were beaten by riot police and other security […]
Viasna journalist gets 15 more days in prison
Maryna Kastylianchanka, Viasna member and journalist, has been sentenced to another 15 days of administrative detention, after a mock trial held in the Baranavičy detention facility on Tuesday, November 17. The activist was found guilty of joining a protest allegedly held in Partyzanski Avenue in Minsk on October 25. In reality, protesters never gathered at […]