Representatives of the Belarusian human rights community call to decriminalize defamation, put an end to judicial harassment and release all political prisoners convicted of slandering or insulting officials or the president, as well as insulting state symbols // 23.12.2020
According to international human rights standards, whistleblowers and journalists who report confidential information, the disclosure of which can lead to the effective detection and investigation of crimes, act in the public interest and should be protected from liability. // 21.12.2020
As for the slogans and drawings spray-painted on riot-control vehicles, which blocked the avenue, these actions can not be considered hooliganism, as these inscriptions addressing law enforcement officers were an act of expression of opinion.
Restrictions on freedom of expression may be subject to certain restrictions, but they must, inter alia, comply with the principles of proportionality.
In addition, spray-painting slogans on the iron shields clearly could not lead to their malfunctioning, and the damage caused by such actions was symbolic. // 17.12.2020
We assess the persecution of Aliaksandr Tsiareshka, Iryna Shchasnaya, Ruslan Parfionau, Dzianis Zhuk Siarhei Yarashevich, Aleh Korban, Dzmitry Karabeinik, Ryhor Saladounikau, Artsiom Vinakurau, Ivan Andrushoits, Aliaksei Sanchuk, Ihar Povarau, Yauhen Yushkevich, Tatsiana Yakelchyk, and Uladzislau Martsinovich as politically motivated, as it is only linked to their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression related to the official results of the presidential election and recognize them as political prisoners. // 05.12.2020
Yan Salanovich’s imprisonment was used exclusively in connection with his exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly, expression and dissemination of information guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and international human rights norms, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular. // 01.12.2020
