The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for September 2021

23.09.2021 Happy birthday! Human rights activists from different countries congratulate Leanid Sudalenka on his 55th anniversary

Today, September 23, human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka, who is now behind bars, turns 55. And today Leanid is receiving congratulations from his colleagues – human rights activists from different countries and organizations.

MPs from Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands adopt political prisoners Uladzimir and Nadzeya Kalach, Dzmitry Panko and Uladzislau Makavetski

22.09.2021 MPs from Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands adopt political prisoners Uladzimir and Nadzeya Kalach, Dzmitry Panko and Uladzislau Makavetski

As part of Libereco’s #WeStandBYyou solidarity campaign, Helmut Scholz (Germany, European Parliament, Die Linke), Tomáš Martínek (Czech Republic, Poslanecká sněmovna Parlamentu, Pirate Party) and Thijs Reuten (Netherlands, European Parliament, Partij van de Arbeid) are taking over godparenthoods of political prisoners in Belarus.

22.09.2021 2 political prisoners walk free after ‘home confinement’ verdicts

Political prisoners Rastsislau Shavel and Pavel Yaitski have been sentenced to three and two years of restricted freedom (home confinement), respectively, after they were found guilty of involvement in “group actions that grossly violate public order” (Art. 342 of the Criminal Code).

21.09.2021 “Dark things are done behind closed doors”: Leanid Sudalenka writes about his trial

Viasna’s office in Homieĺ published excerpts from the letters human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka has sent to a local activist Vasil Paliakou, which reveal some details about the closed trial currently underway at the Centraĺny District Court.

21.09.2021 Political prisoner Artur Khatsko sentenced to 2 years in prison

The Zavodski District Court of Minsk found Artur Khatsko guilty of “organizing or actively participating in group actions that grossly violate public order” (Article 342 of the Criminal Code).

20.09.2021 Ukrainian citizen jailed over post-election protests

Mikhail Ferenets, a Ukrainian national on the list of Belarusian political prisoners, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for his role in the post-election protests of late 2020.

20.09.2021 #FreeViasna: News digest on imprisoned human rights defenders of Viasna

On September 17, dozens of Belarusian and international human rights groups launched #FreeViasna, the campaign of solidarity with the imprisoned human rights activists of Viasna. Here’s the latest news about the Viasna members held behind bars.

20.09.2021 Babaryka’s campaign coordinator sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison

The Čavusy District Court handed down a verdict in the case of Uladzimir Dudarau, a political prisoner and former deputy chairman of the Mahilioŭ city executive committee. In 2020, Dudarau coordinated the work of Viktar Babaryka’s presidential campaign in the Mahilioŭ region.

20.09.2021 Russian national sent to prison for calling Lukashenka hijacker

Iryna Vikkholm, a Russian citizen and political prisoner, has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment a general-security penal colony, after the Maskoŭski Court in Brest found her guilty of “slander against the president” (Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Belarus).

18.09.2021 #FreeViasna: Thousands speak out in support of imprisoned human rights defenders

Numerous events were held yesterday in a dozen European countries to mark the launch of #FreeViasna, the international campaign of solidarity with imprisoned human rights activists of Viasna.

17.09.2021 Human rights defenders call to release 9 more persons prosecuted on defamation charges

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

17.09.2021 You truly embed the meaning of “Right Livelihood”

Right Livelihood Laureates speak in support of imprisoned Viasna members

17.09.2021 Critical vlogger given 4 years in prison over ‘slandering’ and ‘insulting’ Lukashenka and top officials

In court, Ruslan Linnik pleaded not guilty, refused to testify, and in his last statement told about the psychological and physical pressure he suffered at the hands of the security forces.

17.09.2021 Belarus: International human rights groups demand release of Viasna members on first anniversary of crackdown

23 international and Belarusian human rights organizations are launching a campaign to demand the release of seven detained Viasna members.

16.09.2021 Lukashenka pardons 10 political prisoners

Thirteen people, including at least ten political prisoners, were pardoned by Aliaksandr Lukashenka, Volha Chuprys, deputy chairperson of Lukashenka's office, said in an interview aired last night on the Belarus 1 TV channel.