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 […]
Competitive second round mayoral election in Kryvyi Rih
On 6 December 2020, the second round of mayoral election took place in Kryvyi Rih. Kostiantyn Pavlov (Opposition Platform – For Life) competed with Dmytro Shevchyk (Servant of the People). According to the 25 October vote results, these candidates took the second and third places, respectively, while the candidate with the largest number of votes, […]
Controversial ‘International Observation’ of the ‘All-Russian Voting’ on Amendments to the Constitution in Russia and Russia-Annexed Crimea
The “all-Russian voting” on President Putin’s proposed constitutional amendments, which would allow him to stay in power until 2036, was held between 25 June and 1 Jul 2020. Since the “all-Russian voting” lacked legal provisions and a constitutional status, a new legal framework was created, which, among others, did not foresee any international monitoring. However, […]
International experts’ endorsed controversial all-Russian voting on constitutional amendments
French far-right MEP Julie Lechanteux giving an interview to the Russian TV, with Johan Bäckman in the background. Source: Twitter account Lechanteux The “all-Russian voting” on President Putin’s proposed constitutional amendments, which would allow him to stay in power until 2036, was held between 25 June and 1 Jul 2020. Since the “all-Russian voting” […]
Money and politics – need for new rules of the game
In recent years, election experts observed significant increase of spending on election campaigns. The transparency of party and campaign financing became one of the key requirements to ensure the integrity of today’s election processes. To raise awareness about the urgent need to increase transparency, our newest comparative study analyzes the regulation and oversight of political […]
Joint Statement On Restoring Political Party Reporting Deadlines
Photo: ifesukraine.org Background: On April 2, 2020, a range of legal changes titled, “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Aimed at Providing Additional Social and Economic Guarantees in Connection with the Spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)” came into force. These amendments included changes to Ukraine’s Political Party Law which deferred political parties’ […]
Money and politics – need for new rules of the game
In recent years, election experts observed significant increase of spending on election campaigns. The transparency of party and campaign financing became one of the key requirements to ensure the integrity of today’s election processes. Along with elections in Austria, Italy, Israel and Japan, election campaign expenditures are rising particularly sharply in the USA. In the […]
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 […]
Chernivtsi mayoral runoff – no critical disruptions in election administration
On 29 November 2020, the second round of mayoral election was held in Chernivtsi. The vote took place at 115 polling stations, with approximately 185.5 thousand voters included in voter lists. Candidate Roman Klichuk (The Only Alternative party cell) competed with Vitalii Mykhailishyn (The Mykhailishyn Team party cell). OPORA has realized long-term and short-term […]
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 […]