News on the topic: freedom of expression
02.04.2019 Immediately stop prosecution of blogger Siarhei Piatrukhin
Joint statement by human rights and other civil society organizations
21.03.2019 Human rights defenders alarmed by unprecedented attack on critical bloggers
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” is concerned about the situation of blogger Andrei Pavuk, who was arrested on March 20.
19.03.2019 Harlem Désir: We are concerned about fight against extremism
Mr. Harlem Désir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, has met with members of the Belarusian Association of Journalists and representatives of independent media as part of his working visit to Minsk, BAJ press service said.
08.01.2019 ARTICLE 19: New decree severely limits right to anonymity online
ARTICLE 19 is concerned by the Belarusian government’s newly adopted decree, which severely limits Internet users’ right to anonymity online. Since 1 December 2018 Internet users in Belarus must prove their identity before they can make online posts.
06.09.2018 Viasna alerts UN Special Rapporteurs over persecution for solidarity with REP leaders
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" has written to Mr. David Kaye, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, United Nations Special Rapporteur on rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, to highlight the sentencing of 11 opposition activists, who staged a protest outside the House of Justice in Minsk on August 24 to demonstrate solidarity with the convicted leaders of the independent trade union REP Henadz Fiadynich and Ihar Komlik.
03.09.2018 Amnesty International condemns low point for freedom of expression in Belarus
The right to freedom of expression in Belarus has been dealt a series of severe blows in recent weeks, as the authorities’ crusade against journalists and independent media outlets continues. The latest moves by the Belarusian authorities demonstrate their resolve to eliminate all critical voices in the country and deprive people in Belarus of the opportunity to freely access, share and disseminate information and ideas.
06.08.2018 Viasna asks UN Special Rapporteur to intercede for LGBT activist Vika Biran
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" has written to Mr. David Kaye, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, asking him to intervene in the case of LGBTQ+ activist Vika Biran, who was convicted for publicly expressing her civil position towards a homophobic article posted on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
01.11.2017 Human rights activists call for open trial of columnists charged with inciting ethnic hatred
The Belarusian Association of Journalists, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center "Viasna" have issued a joint statement to demand an open hearing of the criminal charges brought against Yury Paulavets, Dzmitry Alimkin, and Siarhei Shyptsenka.
31.03.2017 Expert analysis of the prosecution of Viachaslau Kasinerau
On March 28, it was reported that activist Viachaslau Kasinerau, who was serving a 15-day administrative detention for participation in a demonstration on February 17 in Minsk, was charged with an offense under Part 1, Art. 339 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism). The activist was taken into custody and transferred to the Interior Ministry’s pre-trial prison in Minsk.
29.03.2017 Belarus: UN Expert Decries Return Of Mass Violence Against Peaceful Protestors, Demands Release Of All Detained
The Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus, Miklós Haraszti, has expressed dismay over the Government’s open return to the policy of violent mass repression against peaceful demonstrators, non-governmental organizations, journalists and political opponents, and is calling on the authorities of Belarus to stop harassment and violence.
24.03.2017 Stop whipping up hysteria and atmosphere of fear in the Belarusian society and ensure respect for human rights
A joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community. 24 March 2017, Minsk
23.03.2017 48 organizations from 24 countries "strongly condemn the continuing wave of detentions and harassment" in Belarus
We, 48 undersigned organizations from 24 countries, strongly condemn the continuing wave of detentions and harassment of peaceful protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society activists, anarchists and opposition party members in Belarus.
15.03.2017 UN Special Rapporteurs concerned about recurring violence against demonstrators in Belarus
Belarus is being urged by a UN human rights expert to stop acts of violence and harassment against demonstrators and to respect freedom of peaceful assembly.
13.01.2016 UN Human Rights Committee registers complaint in ‘father for daughter’ case
The UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint submitted by Aliaksandr Protska, a resident of Homieĺ who attempted to stage a protest against the charges his daughter faced for alleged human trafficking. The communication has been sent to the State for comments on the merits.
28.10.2015 Freedom House: Belarus Has Most Non-Free Internet in Europe
The US non-governmental organisation Freedom House has published its annual report on Internet Freedom worldwide.
