UN calls for release of 1,000 political prisoners held in Belarus
3 years ago

UN calls for release of 1,000 political prisoners held in Belarus

Al Jazeera  

Michelle Bachelet, the UN human rights chief, calls for the release of activists, opposition members and journalists from the Belarusian jails. The UN human rights chief has said that more than 1,000 activists, opposition members and journalists are being detained on “politically motivated charges” in Belarus and called for their release. Michelle Bachelet on Thursday said the government of President Alexander Lukashenko was carrying out violations of a “widespread and systematic nature” since large-scale protests against his contested victory in 2020’s elections. The Minsk government carried out a “massive crackdown including widespread excessive use of force”, she said in an address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Suppressing dissent Bachelet said, “Our examination finds that the government has sought to suppress all forms of criticism and has actively tried to prevent justice, accountability and truth about the violations committed.” “I urge the government of Belarus to immediately release all prisoners sentenced on politically motivated grounds and cease all other ongoing human rights violations, including the systematic repression of civil society, independent media and opposition groups,” she said.

Belarus List Rights Violations Bachelet  held  belarus  1000  rights  violations  opposition  widespread  calls  political  list  systematic  work  taranda  prisoners  human  release

History of this topic

Authoritarian leader of Belarus is sworn for a 7th term and tells his critics ‘you have no future’
1 day, 7 hours ago

Authoritarian leader of Belarus is sworn for a 7th term and tells his critics ‘you have no future’

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in Tuesday to a seventh term, and he mocked those who derided him as “Europe’s last dictator” by saying his country has more democracy “than those who cast themselves as its models.” In this photo released by Belarus’ Presidential Press Service, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko takes his oath of office …

Dozens of Nobel laureates urge Trump to help release Belarusian political prisoners
1 month ago

Dozens of Nobel laureates urge Trump to help release Belarusian political prisoners

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 Dozens of Nobel prize winners …

What will Trump do about the 1,400 hostages in Belarus?
Trending News
1 month ago

What will Trump do about the 1,400 hostages in Belarus?

The Independent  

In February, the United States succeeded in securing the release of several political prisoners in Belarus. In mid-February, for the third time in the past year, 33 Nobel laureates issued an open letter to world leaders and US president Donald Trump, urging comprehensive action to secure the release of political prisoners in Belarus. This action forced Lukashenko to make significant …

Belarus frees an American and 2 other people in a bid to repair ties with Washington
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Belarus frees an American and 2 other people in a bid to repair ties with Washington

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities on Wednesday released an imprisoned U.S. citizen, a Belarusian journalist for a U.S.-funded media outlet and an opposition supporter in an apparent attempt to repair ruptured ties with Washington. Also freed was Andrey Kuznechyk, a Belarusian journalist for the Belarus service of the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, who had been convicted of being …

Belarus releases 3 people, including an American and a jailed journalist
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Belarus releases 3 people, including an American and a jailed journalist

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Belarus has released three people, including an American and a journalist, who had been detained for more than three years, U.S. officials said Wednesday. After more than three years apart, this family is together again thanks to President Trump,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President Stephen Capus said in a statement that also thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio …

Belarus frees American woman from detention as strongman leader looks to extend 30-year rule
2 months ago

Belarus frees American woman from detention as strongman leader looks to extend 30-year rule

Associated Press  

Belarus has “unilaterally” freed an American woman from detention, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Sunday, as the Kremlin-allied country held an orchestrated election poised to give strongman President Alexander Lukashenko yet another term on top of his three decades in power. Rubio’s statement came following waves of prisoner releases by Lukashenko, often dubbed “Europe’s last dictator.” Belarus’ oldest …

Belarus: Putin's ally Lukashenko frees eight political prisoners in 'act of mercy' before elections
2 months ago

Belarus: Putin's ally Lukashenko frees eight political prisoners in 'act of mercy' before elections

Firstpost  

Belarus has more than 1,000 political prisoners, many of them detained during the mass protests that erupted after Lukashenko’s contentious re-election in 2020 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko freed eight political prisoners on Friday, an “act of mercy” his office said came just days before an election expected to extend his nearly three-decade rule. In addition to the eight political prisoners, …

An imprisoned Nobel laureate underscores human rights abuses in Belarus
2 months, 1 week ago

An imprisoned Nobel laureate underscores human rights abuses in Belarus

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — The yellow name tag that Ales Bialiatski wears on his prison garb sets him apart from other inmates in Penal Colony No. “But by that time, Viasna rights defenders had already been arrested, and he said he cannot leave them behind.” While in detention, Bialiatski was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with two other human rights …

An imprisoned Nobel laureate underscores human rights abuses in Belarus
2 months, 1 week ago

An imprisoned Nobel laureate underscores human rights abuses in Belarus

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. "But by that time, Viasna rights defenders had already …

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after being held incommunicado for over 700 days
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after being held incommunicado for over 700 days

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — An imprisoned opposition activist in Belarus resurfaced Wednesday in a video shot by a pro-government blogger after over 700 days of no contact with his family, weeks before an election that is all but certain keep the country’s strongman leader in power. “The authorities decided to show Babaryka in the run-up to the election to avoid accusations …

Belarus’ strongman leader pardons 20 more prisoners, but rights groups say repression continues
Trending News
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Belarus’ strongman leader pardons 20 more prisoners, but rights groups say repression continues

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 20 more people that rights activists describe as political prisoners, a statement on the president’s website said Saturday. In all, 207 political prisoners have been freed, according to Belarus’ oldest and most established human rights group, Viasna. The mass pardons come amid a new wave of repression, said Viasna activist Pavel …

Belarusian authorities arrest 7 journalists who worked for an independent newspaper
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarusian authorities arrest 7 journalists who worked for an independent newspaper

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities have arrested seven journalists who worked for an independent regional news outlet, a media watchdog said Thursday, the latest move in a sweeping crackdown on dissent and freedom of speech by the country’s authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Belarusian Association of Journalists said the seven — journalists who worked for Intex-Press online newspaper in the …

Belarusian authorities arrest 7 journalists who worked for an independent newspaper
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarusian authorities arrest 7 journalists who worked for an independent newspaper

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 Belarusian authorities have arrested seven …

Belarus court jails journalist for four years for criticizing authoritarian president
Trending News
3 months, 2 weeks ago

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 …

Belarus’ authoritarian ruler pardons 29 political prisoners amid claims of ongoing repression
3 months, 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 …

Belarus seeks to copy neighboring Russia’s repressive LGBTQ+ policies, activists say
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarus seeks to copy neighboring Russia’s repressive LGBTQ+ policies, activists say

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — As police raided the home of a gay couple in the Belarusian capital of Minsk and brutally beat them, the officers didn’t hide that the crackdown was aligned to similar moves in neighboring Russia. “They openly told us that if it is banned in Russia, then it should be banned in Belarus too.” Belarus decriminalized homosexuality in …

Belarus grants asylum to fugitive Polish judge wanted on spying allegations
4 months 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 …

Belarus grants asylum to fugitive Polish judge wanted on spying allegations
4 months 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 …

Belarus leader Lukashenko pardons 32 prisoners convicted for ‘extremism’
4 months ago

Belarus leader Lukashenko pardons 32 prisoners convicted for ‘extremism’

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned dozens of political prisoners, his office said, but critics warned that the crackdown on dissent continues, with more than 1,000 people still imprisoned since mass demonstrations in 2020. This marked the sixth wave of pardons of political prisoners since July this year, with a total of 178 people released, according to a tally based …

Belarus police launch sweeping anti-riot drills ahead of January’s election
4 months, 1 week ago

Belarus police launch sweeping anti-riot drills ahead of January’s election

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian police on Tuesday launched sweeping anti-riot drills ahead of January’s election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, a signal from the authorities that they wouldn’t tolerate any protests. Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakov said that the exercise is intended to train the country’s police force for blocking “any manifestation of extremism and …

Belarus has arrested scores of relatives of dissidents ahead of presidential vote, activists say
4 months, 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
Trending News
4 months, 2 weeks ago

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 …

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months
4 months, 2 weeks 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 …

Belarus’ hardline president releases 31 political prisoners but crackdown persists
4 months, 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 …

Belarus's Lukashenko pardons 31 people convicted over 'extremism'
4 months, 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. …

Belarusian authorities launch a new wave of repression ahead of presidential vote
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarusian authorities launch a new wave of repression ahead of presidential vote

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities have launched a new wave of arrests, seeking to uproot any sign of dissent ahead of January’s election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, rights campaigners said. “The new massive wave of arrests and searches is a planned action of intimidation ahead of the election,” said Viasna’s representative Pavel Sapelka. …

Belarus adds 1 year to imprisoned opposition activist’s sentence
5 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 …

Belarusian-American has his prison sentence extended amid continuous crackdown on dissent in Belarus
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Belarusian-American has his prison sentence extended amid continuous crackdown on dissent in Belarus

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 A Belarusian-American has had his …

Belarusian authorities pressure pardoned political prisoners, rights groups say
5 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 …

Lithuania refers Belarus to the ICC, alleging crimes against humanity over opposition crackdown
5 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 …

Lithuania refers Belarus to the ICC, alleging crimes against humanity over opposition crackdown
5 months, 3 weeks ago

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

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. Opposition groups in Belarus have faced a severe crackdown …

Activists say police in Belarus beat LGBTQ+ people while arresting and charging them
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Activists say police in Belarus beat LGBTQ+ people while arresting and charging them

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Rights activists in harshly repressive Belarus say police recently subjected at least 20 LGBTQ+ people to questioning, during which some were beaten and were charged with crimes. “Arrests that looked more like attacks took place at universities, cafes, homes and even at public transport stops,” group coordinator Alisa Sarmant said Friday. Russia, which has close relations with …

Teachers in Belarus being targeted for links with 'extremist' group, says human rights body
6 months, 1 week ago

Teachers in Belarus being targeted for links with 'extremist' group, says human rights body

Hindustan Times  

Dozens of teachers in Belarus have been detained or interrogated by authorities as part of the country's wide-ranging crackdown on dissent, a respected local human rights organization said Wednesday. Belarus suppressed opposition and independent media for three decades under President Alexander Lukashenko, but the efforts to crush dissent intensified sharply in 2020 when nationwide protests arose after a presidential election …

Belarusians fleeing repression at home say they face new threats and intimidation abroad
6 months, 2 weeks ago

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

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — More than a half-million Belarusians have fled their country in the past four years as the authoritarian government launched a harsh crackdown on its political opponents. In a letter to the Belarusian opposition office, she said Serbian authorities were told Hniot’s case “was politically motivated” and he “would face reprisals” if returned to his homeland. “Belarusians need …

Belarusians fleeing repression at home say they face new threats and intimidation abroad
6 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 …

Belarus’ authoritarian leader pardons 30 out of some 1,400 political prisoners
7 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 …

EU and US call for the release of Belarus’ political prisoners on the anniversary of mass protests
7 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 …

EU and US call for the release of Belarus' political prisoners on the anniversary of mass protests
7 months, 2 weeks ago

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

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 The European Union and the …

EU slaps sanctions on 28 accused of rights abuses and links to the ongoing crackdown in Belarus
7 months, 3 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 …

2 Belarusian journalists sentenced to prison in a closed-door trial, rights group says
7 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 …

2 Belarusian journalists sentenced to sent to prison in a closed-door trial, rights group says
7 months, 3 weeks ago

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

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 Two Belarusian journalists working for …

International human rights group calls on Belarus to stop execution of German
8 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 …

Belarus frees head of banned party as Lukashenko slowly releases some political prisoners
8 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 …

UN panel calls on Belarus to release Nobel Peace laureate from prison
8 months, 1 week 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 …

Dozens of Nobel laureates call on Belarus leader Lukashenko to release all political prisoners
8 months, 1 week ago

Dozens of Nobel laureates call on Belarus leader Lukashenko to release all political prisoners

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 Dozens of Nobel prize winners …

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow
8 months, 1 week ago

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Lukashenko has turned Belarus into a fragment of the USSR, …

Belarus broadens visa-free travel for 35 European countries
8 months, 1 week ago

Belarus broadens visa-free travel for 35 European countries

Associated Press  

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 …

Belarus broadens visa-free travel for 35 European countries
8 months, 1 week ago

Belarus broadens visa-free travel for 35 European countries

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 Belarusian authorities on Wednesday expanded …

Belarus, in move to ‘openness,’ broadens visa-free travel for 35 European countries
8 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 …

Belarusian authorities are forcing political prisoners to publicly repent to be freed, activists say
8 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 …

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