22.04.2019 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders condemns Brest arrests
The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the arbitrary arrest and judicial harassment of Mr. Uladzimir Vialichkin, an environmental rights defender and member of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” (HRC “Viasna”), as well as other 17 environmental defenders, in the context of the repression of an environmental protest movement against the construction of a battery plant in Brest.
19.04.2019 Picks of the week
Critical blogger cleared of criminal charges; believers to stand trial for saying prayers outside President's office; HRDs question grounds for prosecution of ex-prisoner of conscience
18.04.2019 Critical blogger awarded heavy fine in police defamation trial
Blogger Siarhei Piatrukhin has been found guilty of slander and insult in a trial that was completed today in Brest.
17.04.2019 Michel Forst: “I’m sure I’ll find ways to protect human rights defenders until the end of my life”
On April 16, Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, met with representatives of the Belarusian human rights community as part of his academic visit to Minsk.
15.04.2019 Viasna member detained among protests in Brest
At least 10 people, including human rights activist Uladzimir Vialichkin, were arrested on Friday in Brest for their alleged involvement in a series of rallies protesting the construction of a battery factory, which local environmental groups view as a potential hazard for the city.
12.04.2019 Picks of the week
Human rights defenders not allowed to observe the trial of critical blogger in Brest; Unification Church member threatened with deportation on dubious grounds; independent trade union under pressure in Salihorsk; man in Hrodna facing prison for sharing Rammstein video
10.04.2019 Amnesty International 2018 death penalty report: Belarus still last executioner in Europe
Belarus executed four persons in 2018, as compared to two executions in 2017, Amnesty International said in an annual death penalty report. Aliaksei Mikhalenya and Viktar Liotau were executed in May, and Ihar Hershankou and Siamion Berazhnoy in November.
09.04.2019 Belsat TV office raided by police
Police officers have searched the Minsk-based office of the TV channel Belsat, Belarusian Association of Journalists said.
08.04.2019 Dzmitry Paliyenka facing triple charge
Former political prisoner Dzmitry Paliyenka, who was arrested on March 20 on suspicion of committing a crime under Part 3, Art. 339 of the Criminal Code (especially malicious hooliganism), has been eventually formally charged, according to the activist’s friend Maryna Kasinerava.
05.04.2019 15 detained in Kurapaty confrontation
At least 15 persons were arrested yesterday during a spontaneous protest in the Minsk-based Kurapaty forest, after opposition activists attempted to prevent the demolition of several dozen wooden crosses near the site of Stalin-era mass executions.
02.04.2019 Immediately stop prosecution of blogger Siarhei Piatrukhin
Joint statement by human rights and other civil society organizations
01.04.2019 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: March 2019
March witnessed certain alarming trends of deteriorating situation with human rights in the country, which may indicate a strengthening of the level of repression ahead of the elections expected later this year.
29.03.2019 Picks of the week
Sad aftermath of Freedom Day celebrations; ex-prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka goes on hunger strike; Iranian close to expulsion, facing death in home country
26.03.2019 Freedom Day celebrations marred by excessive police interference
At least 15 people were detained last evening in central Minsk while trying to join an unauthorized assembly to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic.
25.03.2019 HRDs tell UN Human Rights Committee about importance of independent observation
The UN Human Rights Committee is preparing General comments on the right to freedom of assembly and asked non-governmental organizations to report on the observance of this right by sending their ideas and recommendations.
