News for January 2021
30.01.2021 MPs from Ireland, Switzerland and Germany "adopt" Volha Paulava, Uladzislau Zianevich and Raman Hvazdziolka
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Frances Fitzgerald (European Parliament, Fine Gael, Ireland), Samira Marti (National Council, SP, Switzerland) and Ralf Kapschak (Bundestag, SPD, Germany) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
30.01.2021 Immediately release Viasna activist Tatsiana Lasitsa!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
29.01.2021 Two political prisoners convicted in Minsk
Political prisoners Renata Smirnova and Artsiom Vinakurau were sentenced today to 2 and 3 years of restricted freedom. Both were released after the verdicts were pronounced.
29.01.2021 Human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka charged, remains in custody
Leanid Sudalenka, human rights activist and chairman of the Homieĺ branch of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", has been charged under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions grossly violating public order and financing such activities). He remains in custody in pre-trial detention center No. 3 in Homieĺ.
28.01.2021 Opposition activist Maksim Viniarski is political prisoner
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
28.01.2021 New report exposes denial of justice for victims of torture and police violence
Authorities in Belarus are using a variety of stratagems to thwart fair investigations into hundreds of complaints of violence and acts of torture by security forces following disputed presidential elections, says a report published today by two human rights groups, the Committee Against Torture (CAT Russia) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT).
28.01.2021 German and Irish MPs take over godparenthood for Maksim Pauliushchyk, Ruslan Parfionau and Illia Palaniankin
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Barry Ward (Irish Upper House, Fine Gael), Sabine Verheyen (European Parliament, CDU) and Daniela Kluckert (Bundestag, FDP) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
27.01.2021 31 new political prisoners. HRDs insist on retrials and release of convicts
Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community
27.01.2021 Impunity for perpetrators of torture reinforces need for international justice
A new report by Amnesty International reveals how the Belarusian authorities have weaponized the justice system to punish victims of torture rather than perpetrators, as part of a widespread and brutal crackdown on dissent in the wake of post-election protests.
26.01.2021 BHC and Viasna’s submission to Committee against Torture ahead of Belarus UPR session
The Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center "Viasna" have prepared a number of issues and questions to be addressed to the government of Belarus during the forthcoming review of its human rights record at the 70th session of the UN Committee against Torture.
26.01.2021 Political prisoner Yan Salanovich released
Yan Salanovich, a former university student and employee of the KGB’s research and technology center, has been released after spending 87 days in detention. The authorities failed to provide explanation for the unexpected decision.
22.01.2021 5 more arrested protesters called political prisoners
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
22.01.2021 Political prisoner Dzmitry Kulakouski sentenced to 2 years of restricted freedom on defamation charges
Judge Tatsiana Pirozhnikava of the Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Dzmitry Kulakouski to two years’ imprisonment in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”). He was found guilty of “publicly insulting an official in connection with the performance of his official duties” (Article 369 of the Criminal Code). Kulakouski was released from custody immediately after the verdict was announced, but will remain under travel restrictions pending appeal hearings.
22.01.2021 Political prisoner Valery Kalenchyts sentenced to three years of restricted freedom
Judge Alena Zhyvitsa of the Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Valery Kalenchyts to 3 years of restricted freedom in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”), finding him guilty under Article 342 of the Criminal Code. The convict was released in the courtroom to await appeal hearing.
22.01.2021 24 and 18 months in prison: court convicts political prisoners Safiya Malashevich and Tsikhan Kliukach
Political prisoners Safiya Malashevich and Tsikhan Kliukach were sentenced today to 2 years and 1 ½ years, respectively, in a general security penal colony. Judge Volha Niaborskaya of the Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk found them guilty on all counts.
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