News for October 2020

2020 Sakharov Prize awarded to democratic opposition in Belarus

22.10.2020 2020 Sakharov Prize awarded to democratic opposition in Belarus

The democratic opposition in Belarus has been awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Austrian and German MPs take over godparenthood for Ihnat Sidorchyk, Dzianis Kireshchanka and Dzianis Chykaliou

21.10.2020 Austrian and German MPs take over godparenthood for Ihnat Sidorchyk, Dzianis Kireshchanka and Dzianis Chykaliou

As part of Libereco’s solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou, Jürgen Hardt (Bundestag, Germany), Lukas Mandl (European Parliament, Austria) und Reinhold Lopatka (National Council, Austria) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus. They demand their immediate and unconditional release.

Human rights coalition calls 9 more persons political prisoners

21.10.2020 Human rights coalition calls 9 more persons political prisoners

Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus

Persons under house arrest are still political prisoners

19.10.2020 Persons under house arrest are still political prisoners

Three political prisoners released from pre-trial detention after Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s visit to the KGB prison on October 10 have been placed under house arrest. Four more were subjected to less stringent restrictions, known as release on own recognizance.

Libereco demands freedom for Swiss citizen arrested in Belarus

19.10.2020 Libereco demands freedom for Swiss citizen arrested in Belarus

Natallia Hersche, Swiss-Belarusian dual citizen from St. Gallen, has been in a Belarusian prison for exactly one month today. She had travelled to her former home country in September and was arrested there during a peaceful women’s rally on 19 September.

240 detained in Sunday March of Partisans

19.10.2020 240 detained in Sunday March of Partisans

At least 242 people were detained at yesterday’s series of protests, jointly named the March of Partisans. The demonstrations were held in a dozen Belarusian cities on Day 71 of post-election protests.

Vitaly Shklyarov, Liliya Ulasava released from pre-trial detention

19.10.2020 Vitaly Shklyarov, Liliya Ulasava released from pre-trial detention

Vitaly Shklyarov, a Belarusian-American political scientist facing politically motivated criminal charges in Belarus, has been released from pre-trial detention, according to his lawyer Anton Hashynski.

Political prisoner Illia Salei is free

17.10.2020 Political prisoner Illia Salei is free

Illia Salei, a lawyer who was earlier arrested on criminal charges, has been released from pre-trial detention, according to reliable sources.

Atrocities in Belarus: MEPs demand an end to impunity for regime crimes

17.10.2020 Atrocities in Belarus: MEPs demand an end to impunity for regime crimes

MEPs and experts discussed the latest developments in Belarus, including possible international legal paths to bring regime officials guilty of human rights violations to justice, on Friday.

What peaceful protesting is like in Belarus: Husband facing criminal charges, wife and children flee country

16.10.2020 What peaceful protesting is like in Belarus: Husband facing criminal charges, wife and children flee country

A man in Homieĺ is facing five years in prison for allegedly resisting the actions of police officers at a protest held on September 27, gomelspring.org said.

Babaryka and Kalesnikava’s lawyer to be disbarred

15.10.2020 Babaryka and Kalesnikava’s lawyer to be disbarred

The Ministry of Justice has ordered today to revoke the license of Aliaksandr Pylchanka, counsel for arrested opposition leaders Viktar Babaryka and Maryia Kalesnikava. The ruling is not final, but it is likely to be approved by the Bar Association.

HRDs voice priority recommendations to Belarusian authorities within UPR procedure

14.10.2020 HRDs voice priority recommendations to Belarusian authorities within UPR procedure

On October 12, an online pre-session was held for UN Human Rights Council delegations as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) procedure. The session featured submissions from a number of Belarusian non-governmental human rights organizations.

Council of Europe leaders make joint statement on Belarus

14.10.2020 Council of Europe leaders make joint statement on Belarus

The Greek Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the President of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, Rik Daems, and the Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following statement concerning Belarus.

Two more PandaDoc prisoners walk free

13.10.2020 Two more PandaDoc prisoners walk free

Political prisoners Yulia Shardyka and Uladzislau Mikhalap have been released today, according to their lawyers.

"You have thrown Molotovs!" they said and hit us with a Taser." Survivor stories

13.10.2020 "You have thrown Molotovs!" they said and hit us with a Taser." Survivor stories

23-year-old Ihar Kviatko was detained on August 11 in a taxi. The Minsk resident told Viasna about what happened next. When interviewed, Ihar was unable to sit because of his injuries.

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