News for February 2023

Human rights defenders urge OHCHR to establish an independent investigative mechanism in Belarus

14.02.2023 Human rights defenders urge OHCHR to establish an independent investigative mechanism in Belarus

This would provide a tool to prepare the ground for effective accountability for human rights crimes in the country.

Ales Bialiatski: “Enough is enough, we must stop this civil war” Viasna leadership delivered their last words at court

13.02.2023 Ales Bialiatski: “Enough is enough, we must stop this civil war” Viasna leadership delivered their last words at court

The trial in the criminal case against Viasna is over.

UN Special Rapporteurs informed about violations of the rights and freedoms of Viasna members during the trial

10.02.2023 UN Special Rapporteurs informed about violations of the rights and freedoms of Viasna members during the trial

Viasna lawyer Sviatlana Halauniova explains which violations were described in the communication to the Special Rapporteurs.

Two “railway guerillas” receive 22 years of jail, and another released under an amnesty

10.02.2023 Two “railway guerillas” receive 22 years of jail, and another released under an amnesty

On February 10, the Mahilioŭ Regional Court passed a verdict to three “rail guerillas” from Babrujsk: Dzmitryi Klimau, Uladzimir Auramtsau, and Yauhen Minkevich.

Out of jail! In January, 22 political prisoners were released

09.02.2023 Out of jail! In January, 22 political prisoners were released

Seventeen of them served their terms in full, and four people were sentenced to home confinement and released from pretrial detention.

Sapelka: “Incredibly long prison sentences for honest and brave people are staggering in their inhumanity”

09.02.2023 Sapelka: “Incredibly long prison sentences for honest and brave people are staggering in their inhumanity”

Viasna human rights advocate comments on the enormous sentences requested by the prosecutor to his fellows.

Prosecution requests 12-year sentence for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski

09.02.2023 Prosecution requests 12-year sentence for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski

Viasna trial reached the closing arguments step.

In January, 50 people criminally convicted in political cases

08.02.2023 In January, 50 people criminally convicted in political cases

Custodial and freedom-restricting sentences were handed down in all politically motivated cases.

"Katya, you are sure to understand everything". Story told by the journalist detained upon a court hearing in the Viasna case and banned from entering Belarus for 10 years

08.02.2023 "Katya, you are sure to understand everything". Story told by the journalist detained upon a court hearing in the Viasna case and banned from entering Belarus for 10 years

Viasna has had a talk with Ekaterina Yanshina about her detention in the courtroom, 15 days spent in a "political" cell at the custodial facility in Akrestsina Lane, deportation from Belarus and how repressions in Belarus are different from those in Russia. 

IAPB: 14,300 documents relating to 2,052 survivor-victims already digitized and archived

08.02.2023 IAPB: 14,300 documents relating to 2,052 survivor-victims already digitized and archived

The International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB) released its third progress report for February-September 2022.

“The case is unprecedented. What is that if not politics?” Human rights defenders interrogated in the Viasna case

07.02.2023 “The case is unprecedented. What is that if not politics?” Human rights defenders interrogated in the Viasna case

Viasna tells what our fellow human rights defenders said in court.

Ex-presidential candidate, a culturologist, and an entire educator's family: 20 more people recognized as political prisoners

07.02.2023 Ex-presidential candidate, a culturologist, and an entire educator's family: 20 more people recognized as political prisoners

Human rights defenders demand their immediate release from custody.

Members of Parliament from Germany and Ireland take on a godparenthood for Yuliya Yurhilevich, Dzianis Khazei and Aliaksandr Matsiayuk

06.02.2023 Members of Parliament from Germany and Ireland take on a godparenthood for Yuliya Yurhilevich, Dzianis Khazei and Aliaksandr Matsiayuk

Libereco solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou continues

At least 58 arrested at border crossings when returning to Belarus

05.02.2023 At least 58 arrested at border crossings when returning to Belarus

According to the State Border Committee, 52 people were detained on "extremist" charges when entering Belarus last year. But according to Viasna's data, at least 58 Belarusians were arrested after crossing the border in 2022 and 2023.

Human Rights Situation in Belarus: January 2023

03.02.2023 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: January 2023

The Lieninski District Court of Minsk started hearing the criminal case of members of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”.

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