05.02.2021 Freedom for Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski!
Human rights defenders demand the immediate release of Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski, activists of the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
04.02.2021 We demand immediate release of political prisoners Stefan Lazavik and Viktar Losik
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
02.02.2021 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: January 2021
Experts of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" note the continuing intensification of repression and further deterioration of the human rights crisis in the country.
02.02.2021 Political prisoner Dzmitry Dubkou sentenced to 7 years in prison
Judge Alena Zhukovich of the Saviecki District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Dzmitry Dubkou to seven years in a medium-security penal colony. He was found guilty under Part 3 of Art. 214 and Part 2 of Art. 293 of the Criminal Code.
02.02.2021 First verdict in “Tsikhanouski case”: critical blogger Uladzimir Niaronski sentenced to 3 years in prison
The Lahojsk District Court has sentenced political prisoner Uladzimir Niaronski to a three-year imprisonment in a general-security penal colony, finding him guilty of calling to breach public order (Part 1 of Art 342 of the Criminal Code) and publicly insulting a government official (Art. 369).
01.02.2021 Former political prisoner Aleh Mazhou sentenced to three years of restricted freedom
The Lieninski District Court of Minsk sentenced today 26-year-old athlete Aleh Mazhou to three years of restricted freedom in an open penitentiary (so-called “khimiya”), finding him guilty of “group actions gravely breaching public order” (Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code). The criminal case was condemned by Belarusian human rights defenders as politically motivated.
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.
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 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 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.
21.01.2021 Political prisoner Yury Savitski sentenced to 3 years in labor camp, released in courtroom pending appeal
The Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk sentenced today Yury Savitski, member of Viktar Babaryka’s nomination group, to 3 years of restricted freedom in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”). Savitski was found guilty of “organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order” (Art. 342 of the Criminal Code) for participating in a post-election protest on August 9. The convict was released in the courtroom to await appeal hearing.