The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for December 2020

31.12.2020 Press Club leaders charged in ‘tax evasion’ case

Yuliya Slutskaya, founder of Press Club Belarus, was formally charged under Part 2 of Article 243 (tax evasion on an especially large scale), euroradio.fm said. She will remain in custody until at least February 22.

31.12.2020 Three more German MPs take over godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus

As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Erhard Grundl (Bündnis90/The Greens), Maria Klein-Schmeink (Bündnis90/The Greens) and Gunther Krichbaum (CDU) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners Tsimur Pipiya, Tamaz Pipiya and Artsiom Vinakurau.

31.12.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: December 2020

Viasna experts note the continuation of the intensification of repressions and the further aggravation of the human rights crisis in the country. During the month, the country's authorities did not demonstrate their readiness to resolve the crisis and to engage in real dialogue with society.

29.12.2020 Political prisoners Kireshchanka and Harokh sentenced to 1 1/2 and 7 years in prison

The Court of Navahrudak district sentenced today Dzianis Kireshchanka and Uladzimir Harokh to 18 months and 7 years in prison, respectively, finding them guilty of “organizing riots” (Parts 1 and 3 of Art. 293 of the Criminal Code). Both were earlier called political prisoners by the country’s leading human rights groups, including Viasna.

29.12.2020 #WeStandBYyou: New godparents for political prisoners in Belarus

As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Gregor Gysi (The Left), Gabriela Heinrich (SPD), Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP), Tomasz Frankowski (PO), Frank Junge (SPD) and Ingmar Jung (CDU) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners Yauhen Kakhanouski, Yahor Suhoidz, Aliaksandr Kisialiou, Maryia Kalenik, Ihar Prazhennikau and Pavel Niadbaila.

28.12.2020 Immediately release political prisoners Siarhei Hardziyevich and Dzmitry Kulakouski

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

28.12.2020 Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova to remain in pre-trial detention until at least January 17

Marfa Rabkova’s pre-trial custody has been extended by one more month, after over 90 days in detention, according to a decision by the city Prosecutor’s Office dated December 17. As a result, the manager of Viasna’s network of volunteers will remain in prison until at least January 17.

25.12.2020 Viktar Pantsialeyeu, Uladzimir Harokh and Dzmitry Lastouski "adopted" by German MPs

As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Norbert Altenkamp (CDU), Johannes Vogel (FDP) and Sylvia Lehmann (SPD) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.

25.12.2020 Seven more protesters called political prisoners

Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus

24.12.2020 The wave of new criminal cases against CSOs in Belarus is growing

Criminal charges and related investigations, searches and arrests have become the most serious problem for CSOs in Belarus now.

24.12.2020 HRDs demand to release political prisoner Natallia Hershe

Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations

23.12.2020 European Federation of Journalists condemns government attack on Belarus Press Club

Yulia Slutskaya, the founder of the Belarus Press Club, who is also a member of the board of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), was detained on Tuesday on her arrival at Minsk International Airport. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) demands her immediate release.

23.12.2020 Statement on sentencing of political prisoners Aliaksei Ramanau and Mikalai Charniauski

Belarusian human rights defenders call to decriminalize defamation, put an end to judicial harassment and release all political prisoners convicted of slandering or insulting officials or the president, as well as insulting state symbols

22.12.2020 Three protesters convicted in traffic obstruction trial

The Lieninski District Court of Minsk ruled today to sentence Volha Klaskouskaya to two years in prison on charges of “blocking vehicular traffic” during a demonstration on October 13. Two more defendants, Artur Bulauski and a minor Maksim Babich, were sentenced to two and a half and three years of restricted liberty (“home imprisonment”).

22.12.2020 New godparents for Belarusian political prisoners

Members of the European Parliament and German Bundestag take over godparenthood for Viachaslau Sheliamet, Hleb Fitsner, Yan Salanovich, Yana Arabeika, Artur Khalimonchyk and Siarhei Kapanets