Judicial harassment /
Arbitrary arrest
March 10, 2021
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in
Belarus.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed about the judicial harassment against the Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’ as reprisals for its work documenting human rights abuses and providing legal assistance to victims amid the ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders and organisations in Belarus.
On February 16, 2021, the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus revealed that a preliminary investigation into the activities of “organisations that position themselves as human rights organisations” was ongoing. It is clear that the statement of the Investigative Committee refers to ‘Viasna’: on the same day, within the framework of the preliminary investigation, the Main Director
Belarus: Acts of harassment against the Human Rights Centre Viasna
26/02/2021
Harassment /
February 26, 2021
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. Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed by the Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’ about the acts of harassment and intimidation against them as reprisals for their work documenting human rights abuses and providing legal assistance to victims amid the ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders and organisations in Belarus.
On February 19, 2021, 85 Members of the European Parliament and ambassadors to Belarus received a fraudulent email from an address named ‘viasna.spring97@gmail.com’ under false pretenses. The email stated that ‘Viasna’ was “seriously concerned about the unprecedented increase in violations of citizens’ rights to
February 26, 2021
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.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed by the Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’ about the acts of harassment and intimidation against them as reprisals for their work documenting human rights abuses and providing legal assistance to victims amid the ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders and organisations in Belarus.
On February 19, 2021, 85 Members of the European Parliament and ambassadors to Belarus received a fraudulent email from an address named ‘viasna.spring97@gmail.com’ under false pretenses. The email stated that ‘Viasna’ was “seriously concerned about the unprecedented increase in violations of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in a number of European countries” and called
February 15, 2021
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.
The Observatory has been informed about the new criminal charges against
Maria (a.k.a Marfa) Rabkova, Coordinator of volunteer services at the Human Rights Center “Viasna” who notably participated in documenting evidence of torture and other inhuman treatment of detained participants in the post-election demonstrations in Belarus.
On February 11, 2021, the Investigative Committee of Belarus charged Maria (Marfa) Rabkova with “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord, committed by a group of persons or resulting by negligence in the death of a person or other grave consequences” and “involvement in a criminal organization” (Art. 130.3 and Art. 285.2 of the Belarus Criminal Cod
February 8, 2021
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.
New information:
The Observatory has been informed by the Human Rights Center “Viasna” about the indictment and ongoing arbitrary detention of
Leanid Sudalenka, lawyer of the Homieĺ (Gomel) branch of Viasna[1], and the arbitrary detention of
Tatsiana Lasitsa, Viasna’s volunteer.
On February 1, 2021, Leanid Sudalenka was charged under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 342 of the Belarus Criminal Code (“organization and preparation of actions grossly violating public order and financing such activities”). If convicted, he could face up to three years of imprisonment. Mr. Sudalenka remains detained in pre-trial detention center No. 3 in Homieĺ.