News for October 2021
29.10.2021 Bagpiper Dzmitry Shymanski convicted over August 2020 protest
The Zavodski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Dzmitry Shymanski to three years of restricted freedom in an open penitentiary (“khimiya”) on charges of organizing “actions that grossly violated public order” and “training of persons to participate in such actions”.
29.10.2021 PACE President condemns recent reprisals against civil society and human rights defenders in Belarus
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Rik Daems, has strongly condemned recent reprisals against civil society and human rights defenders in Belarus.
28.10.2021 “It’s scary to never see your child back home.” Survivor stories
Alena told Viasna about what many Belarusian mothers went through when their children did not return home last summer. In August 2020, her 17-year-old son disappeared, he was searched for 5 days, and when found, she cried out in horror.
27.10.2021 Trial of Viasna members resumes in Homieĺ, volunteer Maryia Tarasenka leaves Belarus
Maryia Tarasenka, a volunteer of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and a defendant in a politically motivated trial in Homieĺ, left the country.
27.10.2021 Belarusian Authorities Retaliate Against Lawyers Defending Human Rights
Four attorneys of Viktar Babaryka, jailed former presidential contender, banned from profession
27.10.2021 European MPs adopt political prisoners Dzmitry Shymanski, Volha Loika and Siarhei Maushuk
As part of Libereco’s #WeStandBYyou solidarity campaign, Willie Rennie (Scottish Parliament, Liberal Democrats), Valérie Piller Carrard (Swiss National Council, Social Democrats) und Colm Markey (European Parliament, Fine Gael) are taking on godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
26.10.2021 12 new names on list of political prisoners
Statement by the human rights community of Belarus
26.10.2021 Women in Belarus paying heavy price for standing up for human rights – UN expert
Belarus denies women many rights and freedoms guaranteed by international human rights law, and is subjecting women activists to enforced disappearances, torture, ill-treatment and even exile, a human rights expert told the UN General Assembly.
25.10.2021 6 more convicted in defamation trials
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
25.10.2021 #FreeViasna: Weekly news digest on Viasna’s imprisoned human rights defenders
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.
22.10.2021 6 more people designated as political prisoners
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
22.10.2021 100 days in prison: Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovich and Uladzimir Labkovich
Today marks 100 days since Viasna human rights defenders Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovich and Uladzimir Labkovich were arrested for their peaceful human rights activities.
22.10.2021 Happy birthday, Uladzimir!
Today, Uladzimir Labkovich, a lawyer of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and coordinator of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”, celebrates his 43rd birthday.
21.10.2021 Two jailed over post-election protests in Pinsk
The Lieninski District Court of Brest has sentenced political prisoner Illia Bokhan to three and a half years in prison on charges of involvement in ‘riots’ in the aftermath of the rigged presidential election of August 2020.
21.10.2021 “He tore my clothes, beat and insulted me.” Survivor stories
Nearly one year ago, on October 25, Aliaksandra (not her real name) was arrested while she was hiding with her friends in the entrance hall of an apartment building after the dispersal of a peaceful protest in Minsk. She was half strangled with her own scarf and her shoulder was injured. The girl told her story to Viasna.
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