Defending Human Rights Activists
Human rights defenders (HRDs) have played a valuable role in documenting the ongoing repressions in Belarus, providing legal assistance to victims, and advising protesters of their rights. The Belarusian authorities escalate pressure on human rights defenders by opening bogus criminal investigations, conducting raids and searches in retaliation for their work, bringing unfounded criminal charges that often result in real prison terms after unfair trials. Some HRDs are currently held in custody, under house arrest or on bail. Some of them have allegedly been tortured and otherwise ill-treated. Lawyers who represent activists and political opposition leaders often have their licenses revoked.
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32
human rights defenders arrested or charged with crimes
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7
Received prison sentences
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37
Lawyers disbarred
Defend
Sentenced
Charged
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Marfa Rabkova -
Andrei Chapiuk -
Kseniya Lutskina -
Andrei Aliaksandrau -
Aleh Hrableuski -
Siarhei Drazdouski -
Dzianis Ivashyn -
Andrzej Poczobut -
Liudmila Chekina -
Iryna Rybalka -
Maryna Zolatava -
Volha Loika -
Alena Talkachova -
Raman Pratasevich -
Tatsiana Kuzina -
Valeryia Kastsiuhova -
Yahor Martsinovich -
Andrei Skurko -
Valiantsin Stefanovic -
Ales Bialiatski -
Uladzimir Labkovich -
Ales Kaputski -
Uladzimir Matskievich -
Iryna Leushyna -
Dzmitry Navazhylau -
Henadz Mazheika -
Iryna Slaunikava -
Volha Harbunova -
Andrei Kuznetchyk -
Siarhei Satsuk -
Pavel Vinahradau -
Aleh Hruzdzilovich
Lawyers disbarred
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Aliaksandr Pylchanka -
Yuliya Levanchuk -
Natallia Ausyannikava -
Liudmila Kazak -
Kanstantsin Mikhel -
Mikhail Kirylyuk -
Maksim Konan -
Andrei Bartashevich -
Mikalay Yotka -
Yelena Shinkarevich -
Uladzimir Sazanchuk -
Siarhei Zikratski -
Volha Baranchyk -
Barys Lyaskouski -
Uladzislau Philipovich -
Siarhei Pichukha -
Hanna Vauchynskaya -
Sviatlana Halalovich -
Andrei Machalau -
Anton Hashynski -
Dzmitry Layeuski -
Valery Zvyahintsau -
Katsiaryna Zheltanoha -
Yauhien Maslau -
Volha Karpushonak -
Yuliya Kniaz -
Aliaksei Tsialehin -
Natallia Matskevich -
Yauhen Pylchanka -
Iryna Varankova -
Ihar Petrashevich -
Dzmitry Lazavik -
Aliaksei Keral -
Illia Salei -
Natallia Aliakseyeva -
Aliaksandr Bialou -
Natallia Vantsovich
Latest
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Months after arbitrary detention, Viasna’s members must be released
It has been a month since law enforcement officers of Belarus arbitrarily detained Viasna’s leadership. This brings the total number of Viasna members behind bars to seven, as four others had been detained previously.
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RSF and OMCT jointly report on Lukashenka’s year-old crackdown on Belarusian journalists
A joint report published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) examines the Belarusian government’s year-old crackdown on journalists.
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Global Letter in solidarity with the Belarusian civil society
161 human rights organisations demand an end to the repression against the Human Rights Center Viasna and all other human rights defenders in Belarus. We condemn the systematic arbitrary arrests, beatings and acts of torture they are subjected to.
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Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic and Uladz Labkovich of Viasna detained (updated on July 19)
At least 13 human rights activists were detained, including eleven Viasna employees, as a result of large-scale attack on human rights defenders in Belarus.
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OMCT: Ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders, journalists and civil society organisations in Belarus
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and FIDH, has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.