The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

16.04.2020 Human rights defenders call to release political prisoner Pilip Shaurou

Statement by the human rights community of Belarus

13.04.2020 Amnesty International calls on Belarus to commute death sentences of Kostseu brothers

Amnesty International has launched an urgent action in support of Stanislau and Illia Kostseu, death row prisoners in Belarus. It calls on its members worldwide to write to the authorities of Belarus urging them to commute the death sentences.

10.04.2020 Picks of the week

Investigative journalist Siarhei Satsuk walks free but still a suspect in criminal case; presidential election in August may become a formality if not put off over COVID-19 pandemic, expert says; Viasna protests expulsion of student over demanding distance learning

08.04.2020 COVID-19: Jailed Human Rights Defenders Must Be Released Immediately

In light of the serious threat posed to prisoners by the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, FIDH and its undersigned member organisations recall governments’ obligation to ensure the safety and health of detained individuals that are under their responsibility, and launch a campaign, #ForFreedom, to call for the release of all jailed human rights defenders (HRDs).

06.04.2020 Activists protest expected extradition of Jehovah’s Witness to Russia

Belarus should not extradite Nikolai Makhalichev, a Jehovah’s Witness detained in the town of Haradok, to Russia, where he is facing unfounded charges of “extremism” in Russia, and years in prison if convicted, Amnesty International said in an urgent appeal to Belarusian Prosecutor General.

03.04.2020 Picks of the week

Authorities increasingly prosecute critical journalists and bloggers; domestic and foreign organizations urge to release investigative journalist Siarhei Satsuk; human rights defenders alarmed by situation in prisons amid coronavirus outbreak

02.04.2020 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: March 2020

On March 5, financial police arrested Siarhei Satsuk, journalist and editor of the news site ej.by. According to available information, he is accused of committing a crime under part 2 of Art. 430 of the Criminal Code (receiving a bribe repeatedly or by extortion, or by a group of persons by prior conspiracy or in large amounts).

01.04.2020 Civil society alarmed by lack of reliable information on COVID-19 outbreak in Belarus

The Belarusian Association of Journalists has called on the government to provide full, accurate and regular updates on the current situation with the coronavirus disease, as lack of information has led many to believe the country’s authorities are downplaying the spread of the infection.

27.03.2020 Appeal hearing halves sentence for anarchists Yemialiyanau and Komar

The Minsk City Court has commuted the 7-year prison sentence earlier imposed on anarchists Mikita Yemialiyanau and Ivan Komar. The new terms are 4 years for Yemialiyanau and 3 ½ years for Komar, the appeal court concluded.

25.03.2020 Why are convicted anarchists Yemialyianau and Komar Belarus’s new political prisoners?

On March 27, the Minsk City Court is expected to hear appeals in the case of convicted anarchists Mikita Yemialyianau and Ivan Komar. If upheld, their sentences will become final and the two activists will be sent to serve 7 years in prison. The Human Rights Center “Viasna” analyzed the sentences delivered on February 12 and offers a detailed explanation of why Yemialyianau and Komar are Belarus’s new political prisoners.

23.03.2020 About the Local and What All Hold in Common

Belarusian Human Rights Activist Ales Bialiatski in Conversation with Olga V. Solovieva

20.03.2020 Picks of the week

COVID-19 affects the rights of prisoners, peaceful protesters, and future presidential candidates; convicted trade union activist faces fewer restrictions; victim of police violence gets new chance to punish perpetrators

18.03.2020 Opposition activist facing 6 years in prison on vandalism charges

Pilip Shaurou, an activist of the Young Front opposition group, has faced formal charges, according to his wife Volha.

13.03.2020 Picks of the week

Viasna writes to UN to complain about persecution of peaceful protesters and bloggers; death convicts' sister launches petitions to save her brothers' lives; HRDs alarmed by proposals to criminalize "LGBT propaganda" and raise age of consent for same-sex relationships