Since the elections in Belarus on December 19, 2010, there has been an increase of violence against the democratic opposition. Starting immediately after the elections and during the following ten months, the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation published a weekly report, covering the latest incidents, day by day. The report has over the time been used by journalists as well as members of the Belarusian opposition.
The report is written by Juras Stankevic for the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation
Report: Elections in Belarus 2010 – Repressions intended to wipe out the Democrat Opposition
December 18th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusWeek 45, October 24-31
October 31st, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusOnce again the Belarus authorities are arresting and sentencing individuals to administrative arrest. (more…)
Week 44, October 18-24
October 24th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Council of Republic adopts amendments to law “On Mass Events” at a closed session, in two readings at one time. According to the changed law organisers of a mass event have no rights to announce the date, time and place until they receive an official permit, this includes announcements on the Internet. (more…)
Week 43, October 11-17
October 17th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe last case on “mass riots”, in regards to the presidential election in 2010, is up for consideration in Court. In addition the authorities introduce amendments to the Belarusian legislation in order to constrict conditions for public and political activities in Belarus, giving unlimited power to the KGB. (more…)
Week 42, October 4-10
October 10th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusPeople’s Assembly was a peaceful manifestation arranged on October 8 by different oppositional movements in order to high light the deep economic crisis in Belarus. The purpose of the manifestation was to gather as many Belarusian citizens as possible and to put forward to the regime demands of economic and political reforms in order to improve the situation in the country. Hundreds of people gathered around the country to talk openly about the political, as well as economic situation. In order to limit possibilities for the opposition to organize these events, KGB and the Police repeatedly arrested activists across Belarus or blocked them in their homes. Dozens of people were arrested, some of them detained and sentenced to prison, others had to pay a fine. (more…)
Week 41, September 27-October 3
October 3rd, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe regime releases from prison Dzmitry Us, oppositional candidate in the presidential elections 2010, who was sentenced to 5, 5 years in prison. Three political activists declare hunger strike in prison The last case on “criminal riots” after December 19, 2010, will be considered on October 12.
Week 40, September 20-26
September 26th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe investigator of the Financial Investigation Department of the State Control Committee dismisses a request sent by Ales Bialiatski’s wife, appealing for a meeting after not being allowed to meet husband since August 5 The Lithuanian authorities express their intention to add 18 more Belarusian officials to those banned from entering Lithuania (more…)
Week 39, September 13-19
September 19th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe authorities offer three political prisoners to apply to President Lukashenka for pardon and, as a result, to be released from prison. The government releases 11 more political prisoners. (more…)
Week 38, September 6 – 12
September 12th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusMikalaj Statkievic, former presidential candidate who was sentenced to six years of imprisonment within the criminal case of “mass riots”, is sent to hospital. Uladzimir Niaklajeu, leader of Tell the Truth civil campaign and former presidential candidate, faces additional restrictions (more…)
Week 37, August 31 – September 5
September 5th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe regime released four more political prisoners who were detained after the falsified elections in December 19, 2010. Tacciana Raviaka, human rights defender from Viasna, is called to the Financial Investigation Department for an interrogation in connection with the arrest of Ales Bialiatski (more…)
Week 36, 23-30 August
August 30th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Department of Interior Affairs of the City of Minsk suspends criminal cases on “mass riots” against several oppositional activists. At the same time a number of human rights defenders get arrested across the country for support and solidarity with Viasna leader Ales Bialacki. (more…)
Week 35, August 16-22
August 22nd, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Court dismisses a complaint that pre-trial restrictions, of personal freedom, are imposed on Ales Bialacki following his arrest. Polish Prosecutor General informs that a number of Polish officials are linked to the disclosure of Ales Bialacki’s bank account and that they are fired. (more…)
Week 34, August 8-15
August 15th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusWeek 33, August 2-7
August 7th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusAles Bialacki, head of Viasna, the leading human rights organisation in Belarus, and Vice- President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), is detained and sent to a detention centre in Minsk. (more…)
Week 32, July 26-August 1
August 1st, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Belarusian Helsinki Committee addresses to the UN Special Repporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus prepares amendments to the “law on mass events”. (more…)
Week 31, July 19-25
July 25th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusMinsk City Court dismisses appeals from two ex-presidential candidates. (more…)
Week 30, July 12-18
July 18th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusCatherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, condemns the brutal handling of peaceful protesters. (more…)
Week 29, July 5-11
July 11th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusNew silent protests and harsh detentions by KGB and Police. (more…)
Week 28, June 28-July 4
July 4th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusFreedom House issues the latest annual report “Nations in Transit 2011” providing a comparative study of democratic development in 29 countries, including Belarus. Massive repressions against people during the official Independence Day celebrations. (more…)
Week 27, June 21-27
June 27th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThousands of people gather on the central squares in towns across the country for a “silent protest”. (more…)
Week 26, June 14-20
June 20th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusAndrej Poczobut, well-known correspondent of Poland’s largest newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza in Belarus, stands before Leninski District Court in Hrodna in a closed trial. The General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Belarus initiates a criminal case against Jauhien Lipkovic, famous Belarusian blogger, for insulting the state flag in his blog. (more…)
Week 25, June 7-13
June 13th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Ministry of Justice issues a warning to the Belarusian Helsinki Committee. (more…)
Week 24, May 31-June 6
June 6th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe authorities prohibit a peaceful picket dedicated to the economic crisis in Belarus. (more…)
Week 23, May 24-30
May 30th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusNew sentences for a number of participants of the demonstration against the falsifications of the election on December 19, 2010. (more…)
Week 22, May 17-23
May 23rd, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusStanislau Suskievic, the first head of independent Belarus, is called to the KGB for interrogation about the blast in Minsk underground on April 11. (more…)
Week 21, May 10-16
May 16th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Ad Hoc Working Group on Belarus, Uta Zapf, is denied Belarusian visa. (more…)
Week 20, May 3-9
May 9th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Police disrupt a press-conference organised by the organisation for human rights Viasna. New sentences for a number of participants of the demonstration against the falsifications of the election on December 19, 2010. (more…)
Week 19, April 26-May 2
May 2nd, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusNew trials against democratic activists in accordance with the criminal case “mass riots” after the elections on December 19, 2010. Six German nationals and a citizen of Poland will be deported from Belarus. (more…)
Week 18, April 19-25
April 25th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusMinsk City Prosecutor’s Office calls Ryhor Kastusiou, presidential candidate to an interrogation in connection with the explosion in Minsk. (more…)
Week 17, April 12-18
April 18th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Minsk City Court dismisses the appeal against the detention of former oppositional candidate, in the presidential election 2010, Andrej Sannikau. The authorities all around the country officially states that is is forbidden to hold any kind of peaceful action in connection to the 25th anniversary of Charnobyl nuclear disaster. (more…)
Week 16, April 5-11
April 11th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusAnatol Liabiedzka, leader of the United Civil Party, is released from the KGB jail. The Belarusian authorities officially restrict the access to two most popular oppositional websites. (more…)
Week 15: March 29-April 4
April 4th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe eighth trial is held in the criminal case regarding the “mass riots” on December 19th, 2010. The Department of Interior Affairs in the City of Minsk changes the charges (the criminal case of “mass riots”) for several oppositional activists, as well as presidential candidates. Natalia Radzina, journalist of the most popular independent news agency Charter97, secretly flees the country. (more…)
Week 14, March 22-28
March 28th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusOn Freedom Day on March 25, a national holiday that is forbidden by the regime, dozens of well-known political, civil activists and human rights defenders, as well as a number of journalists, are detained across the country. (more…)
Week 13: March 15-21
March 21st, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Ministry of Interior Affairs in Minsk presents accusations against two former oppositional candidates Dzmitry Us and Mikalaj Statkievic. (more…)
Week 12: March 8-14
March 14th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusNew sentences for democratic activists in accordance with the criminal case of “mass riots” after the presidential elections on December 19, 2010. Ales Michalevic, former presidential candidate, leaves the country. (more…)
Week 11: March 1-7
March 11th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThird trial of six arrested activist takes place in accordance with the criminal case in “mass riots”. The authorities revoke the license of a well-known lawyer. (more…)
Week 10: February 22-28
February 28th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe second trial in the criminal case of “mass riots”. Oppositional candidate Ales Michalevic makes a statement about the torture he experienced in the KGB’s jail. (more…)
Week 9: February 15-21
February 21st, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Ministry of Justice cancels the licences of four lawyers who defended arrested activists. The first trial of the about 40 activists that have been arrested and accused (in criminal case) of mass riots. (more…)
Week 8: February 8-14
February 14th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe City Council in Minsk informs the Belarusian Popular Party that the contract for the party office in Minsk will not be prolonged. State TV channel ANT invites famous oppositional politician Viktar Ivaskievic (one of the leaders for freedom from the Soviet Union) to participate in a TV-show. (more…)
Week 7, February 1-7
February 7th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusState TV channel ANT broadcasts a discrediting report of the events on December 19, 2010. (more…)
Week 6, January 25-31
January 31st, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusMinister of Internal Affairs, Anatol Kulasou, holds the first press conference since the elections. Oppositional candidate Uladzimir Niaklajeu and journalist Iryna Chalip are released from KGB jail. (more…)
Week 5: January 18-24
January 24th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusOfficial inauguration of Alexander Lukasenka for the fourth term of presidency. Andrus Filipcyk, poet and well-known programmer, is arrested for laughing at Lukashenka watching him on a TV-screen in a street in Minsk. (more…)
Week 4: January 11-17
January 11th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe Belarusian Popular Front Party is officially appealing to make an international investigation of the events which took place on December 29, 2010. Markus Löning, representative from the Federal Government in Germany, on the request of Human Rights and Humanitarian Help is denied to meet political prisoners. (more…)
Week 3: January 3-10
January 10th, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusAfter launching a civil committee for solidarity with political prisoners, the authorities start threatening the Belarusian Popular Front Party to cancel rental agreement of the office. (more…)
Week 2: December 26 – January 2
January 2nd, 2011 Weekly Report on BelarusThe authorities close down the OSCE office in Minsk. The Belarusian Popular Front Party starts a civil committee for solidarity with political prisoners; the idea is to help arrested people. (more…)
Week 1: December 19-25, The Election
December 25th, 2010 Weekly Report on BelarusThe presidential elections held in Belarus on December 19, 2010 resulted in harsh repressions and violations. To this day the authorities continue to apply the oppressive rule against democratic civil society. Threatening all democratic structures in the Belarus society. (more…)