Behind closed doors, dozens have been sentenced to 10 to 15 days jail time. On the night of 20 December, the KGB raided the offices of portal Spring 97 and the Human Rights Center Viasna, arrested 10 members and ceased documents and equipment.

Today, over 50 Human Rights House Network partners from 15 countries sent a joint letter of concern to the Belarusian authorites calling upon them to immediately release the arrested and ensure the safety of peaceful demonstrators, journalists, human rights defenders and opposition politicians.

“Attacks against civil demonstrators, opposition politicians, human rights defenders and journalists once again show the Belarusian authorities’ disrespect of the development of a free and independent civic society. The European leaders must follow up the situation in Belarus. There must be consequences for what has happened”, said Maria Dahle, Executive Director of the Human Rights House Foundation.

 

 

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Hundreds of detainees stand closed-door trials

Lukashenko 4.0 – enrich, be free, but without democracy

Human Rights Day: a petition to the President of Belarus

Belarus on the election eve: spicing up autocracy with democracy?

Civil society trimming ahead of the election in Belarus

Online petition calling for respect of human rights

HRHN joint letter of concern:

Election aftermath: Call to stop violence and release the detained

Update: 21 December

Aleh Hulak, Head of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, was released on 20 December. See Human Rights Center Viasna: BHC chair Aleh Hulak released

Other statements:

Useful information:

23 suspects in “mass riots” criminal case (updated)

 

Lukashenko 4.0 – enrich, be free, but without democracy

Human Rights Day: a petition to the President of Belarus

Belarus on the election eve: spicing up autocracy with democracy?

Civil society trimming ahead of the election in Belarus

Online petition calling for respect of human rights