The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for January 2019

31.01.2019 TUT.by chief editor to stand trial soon

The trial of Maryna Zolatava, editor-in-chief of the popular news portal TUT.BY, will start on February, 12 in Minsk.

28.01.2019 FOJO representative banned from Belarus due to Russian "black list"

Olga Vallee, FOJO Media Institute program coordinator, arrived in Minsk at the invitation of the Belarusian Association of Journalists but was refused entrance to the country on grounds that she is on the list of personas non grata in the Russian Federation.

27.01.2019 Picks of the week

Another cycle of segregation for political prisoner Mikhail Zhamchuzhny; Brest initiative group for holding referendum on car battery factory construction ban refused registration; Pressure on independent journalists; Arrests for graffiti against police violence

25.01.2019 Death penalty: human rights defenders' retrospective and aspirations

At the end of January, the campaign "Human rights defenders against the death penalty" marks its 10th anniversary. Viasna asked the campaign activists about how one of the most notorious human rights campaigns in Belarus has been established, what difficulties it encountered and how such activity is perceived in society.

25.01.2019 Viasna condemns violations of Jehovah’s Witnesses' rights in Russia

In a joint statement with 36 other human rights organizations, Viasna expresses concern for the deprivation of the right to freedom of religion or belief towards Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia and the persecution of the Community members.

21.01.2019 Belarusian trade union case raised with the EU

International trade unions brought concerns of deteriorating environment for democracy and fundamental rights in Belarus to the European Union authorities.

18.01.2019 Picks of the week

Viasna announces prison art contest; TUT.by editor's case taken to court; Human rights activists demand to prosecute minister Ihar Shunevich; Journalists fined US$1200 for filming protests in Brest; Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code omitted

17.01.2019 Belarus in World Report 2019 by Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch issued an annual review of human rights around the globe. Belarus deserves a special chapter.

16.01.2019 Viasna signs joint letter protesting escalating repression against Mehman Huseynov

Human Rights Houses issue a joint letter calling for urgent action from the international community to ensure the life, health, and rights of imprisoned Azerbaijani photojournalist, video blogger, and human rights defender Mehman Huseynov.

14.01.2019 EU and COE call on moratorium on death penalty in Belarus

Spokespersons of the European Union and the Council of Europe condemn the latest death sentence pronounced in Belarus

11.01.2019 Picks of the week

Civil Society Champions Award 2018 won by human rights coalition; The first death sentence this year in Belarus; Mahilioŭ human rights activist threatened with expulsion from public monitoring commission; UNHRC considered complaints of 39 Belarusians in 2018; Preliminary dates of elections in Belarus announced

09.01.2019 Man sentenced to death in Babrujsk

The Mahilioŭ Regional Court has sentenced a man to death, finding him guilty of killing two women in late July. The verdict was pronounced after a series of visiting hearings held in Babrujsk.

08.01.2019 ARTICLE 19: New decree severely limits right to anonymity online

ARTICLE 19 is concerned by the Belarusian government’s newly adopted decree, which severely limits Internet users’ right to anonymity online. Since 1 December 2018 Internet users in Belarus must prove their identity before they can make online posts.

05.01.2019 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: 2018

Despite a decline in the overall level of repression in the country compared to the previous year, in 2018, there were no systemic changes in the area of civil and political rights, especially at the legislative level, aimed at the qualitative improvement of the human rights situation in Belarus.