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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Following the adoption of the UN resolution on Belarus, Viasna’s Board member Valiantsin Stefanovic detained along with other human rights defenders
On the morning following the adoption of the UN resolution condemning the human rights situation in the country, Belarusian authorities conducted a large-scale raid on human rights defenders.
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OMCT: Coordinated searches and detentions of journalists and human rights defenders in Belarus
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and FIDH, requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.
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FIDH and Viasna condemn new attacks on independent media threatening the liberty of expression in Belarus
Yesterday, law enforcement officials organised a widescale crackdown on in-dependent media in Belarus. Offices of at least five media outlets were raided and a number of their employees were detained.
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Documentary "We Have Not Lived in Vain": the protests in Belarus through the eyes of LGBTQ+ activists
In the film by Nick Antipov and Bart Staszewski, three participants of the Belarusian protests and representatives of the country’s LGBTQ+ community share their experiences, feelings, and aspirations.
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Harassment and obstacles to freedom of association of ’Zyvano’
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and FIDH, requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.