23.06.2020 “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to stop pressure on independent observers
“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” call to refrain from any form of pressure on independent observers.
23.06.2020 Viasna activist sentenced to short prison term in Babrujsk
Siarzhuk Latsinski, Viasna’s activist in Babrujsk, has been sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention on charges of involvement in a protest staged on June 19.
22.06.2020 2020 Presidential Election. Weekly observation report: June 15-21
The presidential election is taking place against the background of a sharp deterioration of the overall human rights situation in the country, in a situation of incessant repression against citizens, including direct participants in the electoral process, which contributes to an atmosphere of fear in society.
22.06.2020 Over 200 peaceful protesters, journalists, rights defenders detained across Belarus
Some 200 peaceful protesters, as well as reporters and human rights defenders, were detained by the police over the weekend, as thousands of people protested the arrest of presidential nominee Viktar Babaryka and his son Eduard.
21.06.2020 Viktar Babaryka charged in criminal case
On June 20, the detained presidential nominee and former CEO of Belgazprombank Viktar Babaryka, who is currently held in the KGB pre-trial prison, faced formal charges in a criminal case, his lawyer Dzmitry Layeuski told interfax.by. The counsel, however, refused to elaborate on the charges, citing a non-disclosure obligation.
19.06.2020 Belarusian human rights defenders call to immediately release Viktar Babaryka and members of his nomination group
Joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations
19.06.2020 EU urges Belarus to immediately release Viktar Babaryka
Statement on recent developments in Belarus by the Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European External Action Service
18.06.2020 Presidential nominee Viktar Babaryka, campaign chief detained in new criminal case
Presidential nominee Viktar Babaryka and his son and campaign chief Eduard were detained this morning by the Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee. The two men were reportedly detained after they arrived at the Central Election Commission building to submit part of the signatures collected to support Babaryka’s presidential nomination.
18.06.2020 Violence, threats, detentions. Human rights activists complain to UN special rapporteurs
The Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center "Viasna" have written to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and a number of UN thematic rapporteurs asking them to take all appropriate measures to assist in improving the current human rights situation in Belarus and also in securing fair and democratic elections.
17.06.2020 Siarhei Tsikhanouski facing new charge of “obstructing elections”
Popular YouTuber and election campaigner Siarhei Tsikhanouski is facing a new charge of “interfering with elections” (Art. 191 of the Criminal Code), according to a reliable source. The charge carries a range of possible penalties, including imprisonment.
15.06.2020 Andrei Novikau called eighth political prisoner in Tsikhanouski case
Representatives of the country’s leading human rights organizations, including Viasna, have named Andrei Novikau, volunteer of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s nomination team, another political prisoner after on June 12 he faced official charges of “disturbing public order” during an election picket on May 29 in Hrodna.
12.06.2020 Picks of the week
Investigators name another suspect in Siarhei Tsikhanouski's case; Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya suspends signature collection amid unprecedented repression; Viasna activist in Svietlahorsk facing new penalty
12.06.2020 Stop pressure and intimidation of people involved in presidential election!
Urgent statement of the human rights community of Belarus
10.06.2020 HRDs insist on immediate release of all activists charged under Article 342 of the Criminal Code
Statement by the human rights community of Belarus on the criminal charges against Siarhei Tsikhanouski and six other participants in the May 29 picket in Hrodna
09.06.2020 Siarhei Tsikhanouski and supporters face formal charges
Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a known vlogger and campaign chief of his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s nomination group, has been officially charged under Part 1, Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organizing group actions that grossly violate public order and are associated with obvious disobedience to the lawful demands of the authorities or have caused disruption of the activities of public transport, enterprises, institutions or organizations, or active participation in such actions in the absence of signs of a more serious crime).
