5 months ago

Belarus broadens visa-free travel for 35 European countries

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities on Wednesday expanded visa-free travel for residents of 35 European countries, including members of the European Union and the United Kingdom, as part of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko’ s efforts to improve relations with the West. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said Lukashenko has approved temporary visa-free travel for citizens of European nations arriving by rail or road, describing the move as a reflection of the country’s “openness and peacefulness.” The new rules, which become effective Friday and last until the end of the year, allow European travelers to stay in Belarus for 30 days without visas. Valery Karbalevich, an independent political analyst, said the Belarusian authorities’ decision to expand visa-free travel for Europeans reflected an attempt by Lukashenko to reach out to the West as he prepares to seek a seventh five-year term in next year’s election. Belarus’ Viasna human rights group counts about 1,400 political prisoners in the country, including its founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.

West Belarus European Lukashenko Belarusian European Countries visafree political travel lukashenko 35 belarusian including west belarus protests european broadens countries prisoners

History of this topic

Belarus court jails journalist for four years for criticizing authoritarian president

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A Belarusian journalist has been sentenced to four years in prison for her critical reports chronicling a sweeping crackdown on dissent launched by the country’s authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Minsk City Court convicted Volha Radzivonava on Tuesday on charges of “insulting the president” and “discrediting Belarus” and sentenced her to four years in prison. “The authorities …

1 week, 5 days ago

EU says asylum rights can be suspended for migrants ‘weaponized’ by Russia and Belarus

Associated Press

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Wednesday gave a greenlight to Poland and other countries on Europe’s eastern flank to temporarily suspend asylum rights when they believe that Belarus and Russia are “weaponizing” migrants to destabilize the bloc. The EU’s executive branch also accuses Russian authorities of “facilitating these movements, given that more than 90% of migrants illegally crossing the …

2 weeks ago

Belarus’ authoritarian ruler pardons 29 political prisoners amid claims of ongoing repression

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, pardoned 29 political prisoners Monday amid what human rights groups describe as renewed oppression in the country. The mass pardons come amid a new wave of repression as the authorities prepare to hold new presidential elections in January 2025, said Viasna spokesman Pavel Sapelka. “Repression in Belarus is still growing.” The Belarusian …

1 month ago

Belarus grants asylum to fugitive Polish judge wanted on spying allegations

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus has granted asylum to a former Polish judge who faced espionage charges at home following his defection in May to the Kremlin-allied country. A decree published Friday by Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus’ autocratic president, described Tomasz Szmydt as being “prosecuted for political reasons” in Poland. Szmydt’s defection to Belarus in May trained the focus on Poland as …

1 month ago

Belarus grants asylum to fugitive Polish judge wanted on spying allegations

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Belarus has granted asylum to …

1 month, 1 week ago

Belarus has arrested scores of relatives of dissidents ahead of presidential vote, activists say

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities have detained over 100 relatives of political prisoners in a new wave of arrests ahead of January’s election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, rights activists said Friday. The Viasna human rights center said that the raids began Thursday, targeting relatives and friends of political prisoners in various cities across …

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months

Hindustan Times

TALLINN, Estonia — Imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova has resurfaced after more than 20 months without any communication with relatives or friends and met with her father, a human rights group said Tuesday. Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months Kolesnikova, one of the most popular and charismatic figures who helped lead protests …

1 month, 1 week ago

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova has resurfaced after more than 20 months without any communication with relatives or friends and met with her father, a human rights group said Tuesday. Kolesnikova gained prominence when mass protests erupted in Belarus after the widely disputed August 2020 election gave Lukashenko a sixth term in office. The U.N. Human …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Belarus’ hardline president releases 31 political prisoners but crackdown persists

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’s authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has led a harsh crackdown on opposition, pardoned and released 31 political prisoners, his office announced Thursday. The announcement said the freed prisoners had been convicted of “crimes of an extremist nature,” a description widely used for opposition figures and people arrested in the mass protests that arose in 2020 after …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Belarus's Lukashenko pardons 31 people convicted over 'extremism'

Firstpost

“Two women and 29 men have been pardoned,” the Belarusian presidency said in a statement, adding that 17 of them had “chronic illnesses” and seven were parents of small children Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 political prisoners, the latest such move that comes two months before an election in which he is set to extend his 30-year rule. …

2 months, 1 week ago

Belarus adds 1 year to imprisoned opposition activist’s sentence

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A court in Belarus on Tuesday sentenced an imprisoned opponent of hardline President Alexander Lukashenko to an additional year behind bars for disobeying prison officials. “The new sentence sounds like a death sentence, because Palina physically may not be able to withstand another circle of hell,” her husband, Andrei Sharenda, told The Associated Press. The German Embassy …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Belarusian authorities pressure pardoned political prisoners, rights groups say

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian human rights activists Monday accused the government of pressuring political prisoners who have been pardoned by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and forcing them to cooperate with authorities. Those pardoned were a small fraction of more than 1,300 political prisoners in Belarus, according to the Viasna human rights center. Viasna and other rights groups said Monday that …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Lithuania refers Belarus to the ICC, alleging crimes against humanity over opposition crackdown

Hindustan Times

BRUSSELS — Lithuania on Monday referred the hard-line president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, members of his government, security officials and military officers to the International Criminal Court, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity by forcing their own people to flee the country. Lithuania refers Belarus to the ICC, alleging crimes against humanity over opposition crackdown Opposition groups in Belarus …

3 months, 1 week ago

Authoritarian Belarus president pardons 37 political prisoners out of more than 1,300

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday pardoned 37 people serving prison sentences for “extremist” crimes, his office said. Before Monday’s releases, Lukashenko since July had pardoned 78 other people convicted of participating in mass protests, including journalists and activists with serious illnesses. “Freeing some political prisoners doesn’t mark the start of a thaw in Belarus, as harsh …

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarusians fleeing repression at home say they face new threats and intimidation abroad

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Dziana Maiseyenka, 28, was detained without warning while crossing …

4 months, 1 week ago

Belarus’ authoritarian leader pardons 30 out of some 1,400 political prisoners

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 30 prisoners convicted for taking part in protests, the presidential office said Friday. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile, welcomed the move but vowed to keep fighting until each of nearly 1,400 political prisoners in the country is set free. The Viasna human rights group estimates that Belarus now has …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

EU and US call for the release of Belarus’ political prisoners on the anniversary of mass protests

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — The European Union and the United States on Friday marked the fourth anniversary of massive protests in Belarus by calling for the release of all political prisoners and voicing support for the Belarusian people. In a statement marking the anniversary, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell emphasized that “the EU remains united in its support to the …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Relatives of Belarus’ political prisoners complain that East-West swap didn’t free their loved ones

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A wave of disappointment swept over opposition activists in Belarus last week as the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War unfolded and they learned it included none of the hundreds of political detainees who’ve been locked up for years by its authoritarian leader. “I am happy to see the Russians released, but I’m shocked that …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

EU slaps sanctions on 28 accused of rights abuses and links to the ongoing crackdown in Belarus

Associated Press

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Monday slapped sanctions on 28 officials accused of human rights violations in Belarus and links to the ongoing crackdown against opponents of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. Others targeted included senior officials at the Belarus interior ministry’s department for combating organized crime and corruption as well as top officials at some of the country’s prisons …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

2 Belarusian journalists sentenced to prison in a closed-door trial, rights group says

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Two Belarusian journalists working for news outlets that the government of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has declared extremist have been sentenced to prison, the country’s leading human rights group said Thursday. The severe repression began when huge protests arose after the disputed 2020 presidential election that gave Lukashenko a sixth term in office. The rights group Viasna …

5 months ago

International human rights group calls on Belarus to stop execution of German

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A consortium of international human rights organizations is calling for Belarus not to execute a German citizen recently condemned to death after being convicted of terrorism, extremism and mercenary activities. Rico Krieger, a medical worker with the German Red Cross, was convicted and sentenced in late June in a secret trial, according to the respected Belarusian human …

5 months ago

Belarus frees head of banned party as Lukashenko slowly releases some political prisoners

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — The head of a banned Belarusian opposition party who had been behind bars for two years was released on Monday as the authoritarian country frees a trickle of political prisoners, according to the respected human rights group Viasna. Lukashenko announced an amnesty in early July for some seriously ill political prisoners, and 19 have been released so …

5 months ago

UN panel calls on Belarus to release Nobel Peace laureate from prison

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A United Nations panel of human rights experts called on Belarus to release the Nobel Peace Prize-winning founder of the country’s most respected rights group, who has been behind bars for three years. Ales Bialiatski’s imprisonment came amid a widespread harsh crackdown on opponents of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko after large and persistent protest demonstrations arose in …

5 months, 1 week ago

Belarus, in move to ‘openness,’ broadens visa-free travel for 35 European countries

LA Times

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has long been close to the Kremlin, is relaxing visa restrictions on European visitors in an attempt build ties to the West. Belarusian authorities on Wednesday expanded visa-free travel for residents of 35 European countries, including members of the European Union and the United Kingdom, as part of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko’ s efforts to …

5 months, 1 week ago

Nobel laureates call on Belarus’ leader to release all political prisoners

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Dozens of Nobel Prize laureates are calling in an open letter on Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to free all political prisoners, after 18 seriously ill activists were released this month. The Belarusian human rights group Viasna counts almost 1,400 political prisoners, including its Nobel Peace Prize-winning founder Ales Bialiatski. “You have a unique opportunity to turn …

5 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarusian authorities are forcing political prisoners to publicly repent to be freed, activists say

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Human rights activists on Monday accused Belarusian authorities of setting unacceptable conditions for the release of political prisoners, including writing public statements admitting their guilt and repenting. There are currently 1,420 political prisoners behind bars in Belarus, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Viasna’s Pavel Sapelka said that “dozens, not hundreds” of political prisoners were released …

5 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarusian authorities are forcing political prisoners to publicly repent to be freed, activists say

The Independent

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5 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarus rights group says 10 ill political prisoners have been freed

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A Belarusian human rights group said Thursday that at least 10 political prisoners have been freed since the country’s authoritarian president this week promised to release seriously ill people jailed in connection with massive protests nearly four years ago. Pavel Sapelko of the Viasna rights group told The Associated Press that none of those released are well-known …

5 months, 3 weeks ago

Cancer-stricken Belarusian political prisoner is released after authoritarian president’s promise

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A prominent Belarusian opposition politician suffering from a severe form of cancer was released Wednesday from prison, his son-in-law said, three years after his arrest in the crackdown on dissent by the country’s authoritarian ruler, Alexander Lukashenko. Ryhor Kastusiou’s release came a day after President Lukashenko announced he would free seriously ill political who were jailed in …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

UN calls on Belarus to investigate torture and death of politicial prisoners

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — United Nations special representatives on human rights have called on Belarusian authorities to investigate the torture and deaths of political prisoners. The report noted that none of the deceased underwent an autopsy and said that the fact the prisoners died while in jail “creates a presumption of arbitrary deprivation of life by State authorities.” It called on …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

Event management firms are the latest target in Belarus crackdown on dissent

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Police in Belarus have raided dozens of event management companies suspected of opposition ties as part of on ongoing crackdown against dissent, a human rights center says. Belarusian human rights center Viasna said at least four people were detained in the latest raids, which took place in the Belarusan capital of Minsk and across the country. Among …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Belarus starts proceedings in a trial in absentia of 20 prominent political analysts

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities on Friday started proceedings in a trial in absentia of 20 prominent political analysts who work with the world’s biggest universities and think tanks, the latest in a yearslong crackdown on dissent in the country. In a statement, the analysts rejected the accusations against them as “absurd” and said they “don’t expect a fair trial.” …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

UN human rights experts ask Belarusian authorities to help a political prisoner dying of cancer

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — U.N. human rights experts have appealed to Belarusian authorities to help a political prisoner who has been diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer. “In light of Mr. Kuchynski’s severe health condition, please consider granting him pardon or remission of sentence or substituting his imprisonment for an alternative form of deprivation of liberty,” said the appeal signed …

7 months ago

Belarus authorities unleash another wave of raids and property seizures targeting over 200 activists

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Authorities in Belarus on Tuesday carried out raids and property seizures targeting more than 200 opposition activists, the latest step in the unrelenting government crackdown against dissent, coinciding with the opposition’s “day of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners.” Belarus’ authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, began the clampdown in August 2020 in response to mass protests following his disputed …

7 months, 1 week ago

Belarus targets opposition activists with raids and property seizures

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Authorities in Belarus on Thursday announced raids and the seizure of property belonging to 104 opposition activists who have fled the country, the latest step in a crackdown on dissent that has continued unabated for nearly four years. Belarus’ Investigative Committee said Thursday the latest raids and seizures targeted activists who criticized Belarusian authorities abroad and rallied …

8 months ago

Nearly 100 Belarus political prisoners have severe medical problems, rights group says

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Nearly 100 political prisoners in Belarus, incarcerated in a severe crackdown on dissent, have severe medical problems and could be close to death, the country’s respected human rights group Viasna said Monday. Viasna, whose Nobel Peace Prize-winning founder Ales Bialiatski is among those imprisoned in the crackdown, identified 93 prisoners of particular concern who are suffering from …

8 months, 1 week ago

A political prisoner in Belarus smuggles out account of beatings after writing on toilet paper

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A political prisoner in Belarus has shed light on the country’s brutal prison system by smuggling out her story written on pieces of toilet paper. Although most political prisoners are kept in solitary confinement, Novikava said she was kept in the same cell as Marina Zolatava, editor-in-chief of the country’s largest independent online news outlet, Tut.by, who …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Nobel laureate Bialiatski’s condition worsens after 1,000 days in Belarusian prison, his wife says

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Nobel Peace Prize laureate and activist Ales Bialiatski marked his 1,000th day in prison in Belarus on Tuesday amid increasing fears about his deteriorating health, his wife said. Bialiatski is Belarus’ top human rights advocate and one of the winners of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, founding the Human Rights Center Viasna, Belarus’ most prominent human rights …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

3 human rights activists arrested in Belarus as a crackdown on the opposition persists

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Three activists of Viasna, the main human rights group in harshly repressive Belarus, have been arrested and charged with participating in an extremist organization, state television reported Thursday. Viasna counts some 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus, including group founder Ales Bialiatski, a winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The three activists whose arrests were reported Thursday …

8 months, 3 weeks ago

An imprisoned journalist in Belarus designated a political prisoner by a leading rights group

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A prominent journalist in Belarus was designated a political prisoner on Tuesday by the country’s leading human rights group following his conviction on charges widely seen as part of an ongoing crackdown on dissent. Karnei is a member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, or BAJ, the country’s top independent journalist group championing freedom of speech that …

9 months ago

27 Nobel laureates demand the release of political prisoners in Belarus

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — In an open letter, 27 Nobel laureates have demanded the release of all political prisoners in Belarus including Ales Bialiatski, the winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel laureates said the situation in Belarus is a “humanitarian catastrophe” and called for an immediate end to political repression in the country of 9.5 million people, which …

9 months ago

Belarusian authorities confirm raids against opposition activists over new ‘people’s embassies’

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities said Wednesday they have launched dozens of raids to target those suspected of “extremist” activities in new efforts by the political opposition to create “people’s embassies” abroad. The Belarusian opposition has announced the creation of “people’s embassies” to represent its interests and counter Belarusian state propaganda in 24 countries, including European Union member states, the …

9 months, 1 week ago

Belarus authorities recently detained 12 lawyers who helped political prisoners, rights groups say

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Authorities in Belarus detained at least 12 lawyers during mass raids late last month that targeted people who have been helping those imprisoned for political reasons, Belarusian rights groups said Tuesday. Authorities also have detained lawyers who provided legal assistance to political prisoners and their families over the past four years. Viasna has counted 1,418 political prisoners …

9 months, 2 weeks ago

Thousands of Belarusians convicted on politically driven charges in sweeping crackdown on dissent

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Thousands of Belarusians have been convicted on politically driven charges over the last three years as part of the authorities’ relentless crackdown on dissent, the country’s leading human rights group said Monday. The Viasna human rights center said that at least 4,690 people have been convicted on politically motivated charges since the August 2020 presidential election that …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

UN experts call on authorities in Belarus to pardon a cancer-stricken imprisoned opposition leader

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Experts from the U.N. Human Rights Commission appealed to Belarusian authorities on Monday to pardon an opposition politician diagnosed with a severe form of cancer while in prison. The U.N. experts urged Belarusian authorities to “consider granting him a pardon or remission of sentence,” in view of Kastusiou’s “grave health condition.” Kastusiou was detained in April 2021, …

11 months ago

Rights center says Belarusian authorities have arrested scores of people in latest crackdown

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities on Tuesday arrested several dozen people in raids marking the latest in a relentless crackdown on dissent, a local human rights center said. The Viasna center said that at least 64 people were detained across Belarus on charges of “involvement in extremist groups” and “financing extremist activities,” accusations that are routinely used to target dissenters. …

11 months, 1 week ago

Belarus political prisoner dies after authorities fail to provide him with medical care, group says

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — A political prisoner has died in prison in Belarus after authorities failed to provide him with proper medical care, a human rights group said Monday, a death that spotlighted cruel conditions in Belarusian prisons. Khrasko, an information technology specialist who died at the age of 50, was serving a three-year sentence on charges of offering donations to …

1 year ago

Belarus political prisoners face abuse, no medical care and isolation, former inmate says

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — During his three years in a Belarusian penal colony, human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka says he and other political prisoners were regularly deprived of family visits, phone calls and parcels. “People disappear in Belarusian colonies and prisons, and the relatives of many political prisoners do not hear anything about them for hundreds of days.” FILE - Artist …

1 year ago

Rights group says security services in Belarus raid apartments and detain election observers

Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia — Security services in Belarus are breaking into apartments and detaining people in their workplaces across the country as they carry out hundreds of searches among election observers ahead of next year’s vote, the Belarusian human rights center Viasna said Tuesday. Representatives from the main intelligence service, the KGB, which has retained its Soviet name, are forcing activists …

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