20.01.2021 Freedom for human rights activists Leanid Sudalenka and Maryia Tarasenka!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
19.01.2021 Viasna’s Leanid Sudalenka held on criminal charges
Leanid Sudalenka, a human rights activist and head of Viasna’s branch in Homieĺ, was detained last morning, January 18, according to local activist Vasil Paliakou. Sudalenka was then taken to the Investigative Committee’s city office for questioning.
18.01.2021 Immediately release political prisoners Andrei Aliaksandrau and Iryna Zlobina!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
15.01.2021 Political prisoner Artsiom Khvashcheuski sentenced to one year in prison
The Frunzienski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Artsiom Khvashcheuski to one year in a general security penal colony. Khvashcheuski was found guilty of “organizing group actions which gravely breach public order” (Article 342 of the Criminal Code).
15.01.2021 Man re-sentenced to death after retrial in Sluck
At a court hearing held today in the city of Sluck, the Minsk Regional Court handed down a death verdict to Viktar Skrundzik on charges of killing two elderly persons and attempting to murder an 85-year-old woman in January 2019. Three other defendants in the trial were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
14.01.2021 Statement on recognizing five members of Press Club Belarus as political prisoners
Joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations
13.01.2021 The 2021 World Ice Hockey Championship has no place in Belarus
Joint press release by FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights and the Human Rights Center "Viasna"
08.01.2021 Human Rights Situation in Belarus in 2020. Analytical Review by Viasna
The 2020 repressions are unprecedented for the entire history of Belarus and testify to the profound human rights crisis in the country, which has led to the international isolation of Belarus and repeated sanctions by the EU, the U.S. and the UK.
06.01.2021 In 2020, more than 100 people were convicted in politically motivated criminal cases
In the last two months of 2020, dozens of criminal cases finally reached courts. Viasna has been able to track at least 103 sentences handed down in criminal cases related to the events that took place during and after the August 9 presidential election.
31.12.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: December 2020
Viasna experts note the continuation of the intensification of repressions and the further aggravation of the human rights crisis in the country. During the month, the country's authorities did not demonstrate their readiness to resolve the crisis and to engage in real dialogue with society.
29.12.2020 Political prisoners Kireshchanka and Harokh sentenced to 1 1/2 and 7 years in prison
The Court of Navahrudak district sentenced today Dzianis Kireshchanka and Uladzimir Harokh to 18 months and 7 years in prison, respectively, finding them guilty of “organizing riots” (Parts 1 and 3 of Art. 293 of the Criminal Code). Both were earlier called political prisoners by the country’s leading human rights groups, including Viasna.
28.12.2020 Immediately release political prisoners Siarhei Hardziyevich and Dzmitry Kulakouski
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
28.12.2020 Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova to remain in pre-trial detention until at least January 17
Marfa Rabkova’s pre-trial custody has been extended by one more month, after over 90 days in detention, according to a decision by the city Prosecutor’s Office dated December 17. As a result, the manager of Viasna’s network of volunteers will remain in prison until at least January 17.
25.12.2020 Seven more protesters called political prisoners
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
24.12.2020 HRDs demand to release political prisoner Natallia Hershe
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations