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.
-
32
human rights defenders arrested or charged with crimes
-
7
Received prison sentences
-
37
Lawyers disbarred
Defend
Sentenced
Charged
-
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
-
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
-
OBS: Remaining human rights organisations in the country liquidated
In Belarus, the remaining official human rights organisations have been liquidated this week in what marks the complete destruction of the country’s legally registered civil society.
-
A birthday letter from Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, to Ales Bialiatski
On 25 September, Ales Bialiatski, founder and leader of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", celebrates his 59th birthday. Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo congratulates him in a letter.
-
Withdraw the Lawsuit to Liquidate the Belarusian Helsinki Committee: Joint Open Letter to Minister of Justice of Belarus
Joint letter by International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Frontline Defenders, Amnesty International, Human Rights House Foundation, and Human Rights Watch calling the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus to withdraw the lawsuit to liquidate the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC).
-
International human rights groups demand release of Viasna members on first anniversary of crackdown
On the first anniversary of the unprecedented crackdown on the Human Rights Center Viasna ("Viasna") in Belarus, 23 international and Belarusian human rights organizations are launching a campaign to demand the release of seven detained Viasna members, and highlight the plight of hundreds of others, who have been prosecuted and jailed solely for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
-
Release Marfa Rabkova, free all detained Viasna members
The arbitrary arrest and detention of Marfa Rabkova one year ago marked the beginning of the brutal repression against the Human Rights Centre Viasna, which up to now has seven of its members behind bars.