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⁉️ How the Belarusian authorities persecute former political prisoners Since May 2020, the number of former political prisoners has reached almost four thousand people. About 900 political prisoners have been pardoned, of whom 234 have been deported from the country. spring96.org/en/news/121304

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Reposted by #FreeViasna

International Accountability Platform for Belarus @iapbelarus.org · 29/09/2026

❗ UN Experts Issue Joint Statement on Transnational Repression In a joint statement, UN Experts have expressed their deep concern relating to transnational repression, detailing the forms, tactics, and tools of such repression. 🔗 UN Experts' statement: www.ohchr.org/en/statement...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 28/09/2026

Viasna volunteer Sviatlana Yakubovich: “We were followed for ten months” Former political prisoner and Viasna volunteer Sviatlana Yakubovich spoke about the persecution of her and her husband, Stanislau Machalau, their detention and trial, and her release. More: spring96.org/en/news/121279

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 25/09/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Ales! Today, our friend, colleague, Chairperson of Viasna, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski turns 64. Dear Ales, from the bottom of our hearts, we wish you strong health, peace of mind, fruitful meetings, and as many warm, joyful moments in every day as possible!

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 24/09/2026

‼️15 more people pardoned in #Belarus, 13 of them political prisoners Most of those pardoned are women (10 people). Human rights defenders don't yet know the names of those released. #FreeThemAll

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Reposted by #FreeViasna

International Accountability Platform for Belarus @iapbelarus.org · 22/09/2026

Ahead of the Interactive Dialogue on the human rights situation in Belarus at the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus published a report titled "The involvement of Belarusian State institutions in human rights violations in the criminal justice process."

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International Accountability Platform for Belarus @iapbelarus.org · 18/09/2026

At #HRC63, the Group of Independent Experts on #Belarus presented its oral update, expressing deep concern over the ongoing deterioration of human rights and systematic restrictions of fundamental freedoms. Watch: webtv.un.org/en/asset/k11...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 22/09/2026

⚖️ Appeal hearing in the case of Yury Harauski begins in Switzerland Yury Harauski spoke about his involvement in the disappearance of of three opposition politicians, was acquitted by a court of first instance in 2023. The relatives of the disappeared politicians appealed the verdict.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 21/09/2026

✊Anar Mammadli is a human rights defender from Azerbaijan who has been imprisoned for the second time. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison. In 2023, Anar expressed his solidarity with and support for Viasna human rights defenders, who were imprisoned at the time. Now it is our turn! #FreeAnar

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 18/09/2026

"Hundreds remain detained on politically motivated charges." The Group of Independent Experts on #Belarus gave an oral update on the current situation at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council Full video - webtv.un.org/en/asset/k11...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 17/09/2026

⁉️ What did the released political prisoners say when they finally found themselves safe and free Viasna collected their first words after release — about meeting their loved ones, their first impressions of freedom, their health, and the suffering they endured behind bars in #Belarus. #FreeThemAll

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 16/09/2026

❗️Today, 25 political prisoners were released in #Belarus Their release came as a result of negotiations between U.S. Special Envoy John Coale and the Lukashenka regime. Following their release, the political prisoners were taken to Lithuania. Photo: John Coale’s Twitter account.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 15/09/2026

❗️ #Belarus: 362 more people recognised as political prisoners since the latest major pardon On 19 March, 250 political prisoners were released following a pardon. Since then, human rights defenders have recognised another 362 people as political prisoners. #FreeThemAll

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 15/09/2026

❗ Today, there are +11 political prisoners in #Belarus There are 912 political prisoners in total. Full list - prisoners.spring96.org/en#list #FreeThemAll

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Reposted by #FreeViasna

International Accountability Platform for Belarus @iapbelarus.org · 11/09/2026

⚖️ Accountability for Belarus: Appeal Trial of a former member of Lukashenka’s special police SOBR to take place in Switzerland On 22 September 2026, the appeal trial in the case against Yuri Harauski will take place at a court in St. Gallen, Switzerland. trialinternational.org/case/yuri-ha...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 10/09/2026

⚠️ Human rights defender from Mazyr Uladzimir Tseliapun has been in detention for five months His imprisonment poses a direct threat to his health: Uladzimir has cancer, which is currently in remission. He has lost significant weight while in prison and urgently needs regular medical monitoring.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 09/09/2026

⚡️Lawyer Dzmitry Laeuski was sentenced to three years in prison today Laeuski was found guilty of “facilitating extremist activities” and “discrediting Belarus” over several interviews he gave to independent Belarusian media outlets. Dzmitry Laeuski represented Viktar Babaryka and Maksim Znak.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 09/09/2026

🤝Chairperson of Viasna and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski met with John Coale, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy for #Belarus. “The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere,” said Bialiatski. John Coale is scheduled to visit Belarus on 14 September. #FreeThemAll

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Reposted by #FreeViasna

International Accountability Platform for Belarus @iapbelarus.org · 08/09/2026

📢 Upcoming Interactive dialogue of the Group of Independent experts on Belarus at #HRC63 🗓 18 September 2026 🕒 10:00 – 11:30 CEST 💻Follow online: hrc63.sched.com/event/2QuJR/...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 07/09/2026

❤️‍🩹 Ales Bialiatski: "We must not lose hope!" On 5 September, the Amsterdam cultural centre De Balie hosted a discussion on freedom and the struggle for human rights in #Belarus. Among the participants was Nobel Peace Prize laureate, chairperson of Viasna Ales Bialiatski. debalie.nl/programma/fr...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 01/09/2026

Amnesty International: Authorities targeting EHU students abroad and their families in intensifying crackdown Belarusian security forces conducted coordinated searches and interrogations across the country targeting EHU affiliates. Viasna had identified at least 175 people affected by this campaign

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 31/08/2026

Enforced disappearances in #Belarus: political abductions and the modern use of incommunicado detention This year marks 20 years since the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Belarus has still not signed the Convention.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 28/08/2026

🎨 PrisonArt gallery expanded with drawings by political prisoner Vadzim Zdaravennau While behind bars, Vadzim has created several drawings using a simple pencil. See the drawings here → prisonart.spring96.org/zdaravennau #FreeThemAll #StandWithBelarus

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 26/08/2026

❗ Registration of new NGOs in Belarus to require KGB approval from 2027 The number of attempts to register institutions or associations is likely to fall overall, with even fewer successful applications. More details — spring96.org/en/news/120984

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 21/08/2026

🔍 Foreign organizations and media in the crosshairs: Who has been added to Belarus’ “extremist” lists, and what does it mean? Read - spring96.org/en/news/120960 ⚠️ If you are planning to travel to #Belarus, unfollow banned resources and remove sensitive information from your devices.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 19/08/2026

❗️ Viasna chairperson and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski added to wanted list A record containing his personal details has appeared in the Russian Interior Ministry’s wanted persons database. Read more - spring96.org/en/news/120944

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 18/08/2026

⁉️ What you need to know about human rights in #Belarus Get regular updates with the latest developments in human rights and political repression in Belarus. 📩 Subscribe to the Viasna newsletter: stats.sender.net/forms/azpkZ5...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 13/08/2026

❗️ #Belarus: Vatslau Areshka has almost completely lost his sight in prison Independent REP trade union activist Vatslau Areshka is 71 years old. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison. His health has deteriorated dramatically — Vatslau has effectively lost his sight. spring96.org/en/news/120909

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 10/08/2026

❗️ Human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun has been imprisoned in #Belarus for four months Uladzimir Tseliapun was arrested on April 10, 2026. A politically motivated criminal case has been opened against the human rights defender, but the details of the charges remain unknown.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 09/08/2026

On the occasion of the anniversary of the protests, we recall the events of August 2020, when the use of force against demonstrators resulted in loss of life - at least three protest participants died directly at the hands of security forces. Full article - spring96.org/en/news/120871

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 09/08/2026

❗️From mass arrests to transnational repression: Six years of crackdown in Belarus 6 years ago, thousands of Belarusians took to the streets demanding free, fair elections and an end to state violence. The authorities responded with an unprecedented campaign of repression that continues to this day.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 06/08/2026

🥀 Today, Ales Pushkin would have turned 61 Instead, he will forever remain 57, because he died in a Belarusian prison. 🎨 Ales created many drawings while imprisoned: prisonart.spring96.org/pushkin-ales

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 04/08/2026

✊ Today is the International Day of Solidarity with Civil Society of #Belarus Ales Bialiatski reflected on how today's pressure on civil society differs from what came before, and highlighted the moments of solidarity that matter most for Belarus right now. Read 👉 spring96.org/en/news/120839

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 29/07/2026

📚 Ales Bialiatski presents his prison notes at the Bok & Vandring in Sweden Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Viasna chairperson Ales Bialiatski took part in the Bok & Vandring event, where he presented notes from the new Swedish-language chapter of his book "Ales". spring96.org/en/news/120794

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 28/07/2026

🥵 Hot weather behind bars turns into an additional punishment Former political prisoners spoke about the conditions of detention in Belarusian prisons in the summer. Read 👉 spring96.org/en/news/120759

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 24/07/2026

❗ At least 29 political prisoners are currently held in Belarusian places of detention after being sentenced to 20 years or more in prison. They include two women and four foreign nationals. The vast majority of those sentenced — 25 people — were charged with an "act of terrorism."

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 17/07/2026

❤️‍🩹"They stripped me even of my name". Marfa Rabkova in an interview with Viasna She spoke about years in prison, teaching prison cadets humanity with the help of Harry Potter, how she was forbidden from being called Marfa in the penal colony, and her feelings at liberty. spring96.org/en/news/120731

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 15/07/2026

👏 Valiantsin Stefanovic receives the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights Although the award was presented on December 10, 2025, Valiantsin's name was deliberately withheld from the official list of 14 laureates from around the world for security reasons. spring96.org/en/news/120728

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 14/07/2026

🔗 Five years since the arrest of Viasna's human rights defenders On July 14, 2021, security forces raided the homes and offices of the organization across Belarus, detaining Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic, Uladzimir Labkovich. Today, all three are safe and continue their human rights work.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 13/07/2026

In an interview with Columbia Global Freedom of Expression, UN Special Rapporteur on #Belarus Nils Muiznieks spoke about the country’s unabating crackdown on dissent, how the landscape for independent media has changed since 2020, and his priorities for the coming year. @cgfoe.bsky.social

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International Accountability Platform for Belarus @iapbelarus.org · 08/07/2026

💬 “The lesson is clear: every day that evidence goes unrecorded, justice becomes harder to achieve.” Andrea Huber, IAPB Director, on the importance of documenting violations of international law in real time and how new technologies are transforming pathways to accountability and justice.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 07/07/2026

❗ UN experts expressed serious concern over the arbitrary invalidation of passports of 8 former political prisoners forcibly expelled from #Belarus after their release from detention, warning the measure may amount to a continuing form of transnational repression. www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 06/07/2026

Hidden Repression: The external calm in Belarus is an illusion that hides harsh and deep pressure Viasna has published a report, Hidden Repression in Belarus 2020–2026, examining how the nature of repression in the country has fundamentally changed over the past 6 years. spring96.org/en/news/120627

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 03/07/2026

#OSCE: "International justice is a marathon, not a sprint," says IAPB head Andrea Huber Andrea Huber, head of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB), spoke at the OSCE conference Preventing Torture and Ill-treatment. Read more: spring96.org/en/news/120635

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 02/07/2026

❗ Global Torture Index 2026: #Belarus classified as a country with a very high risk of torture The Global Torture Index assesses national legal systems, state policies, and their practical impact on international human rights standards across seven thematic areas. www.omct.org/en/global-to...

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 01/07/2026

⚡️32 people have been pardoned in #Belarus Of them, 28 are political prisoners. Those released include 20 women and 12 men. Traditionally, Lukashenka signed the decree on the eve of Belarus's Independence Day. Full list of political prisoners - prisoners.spring96.org/en #FreeThemAll

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 29/06/2026

"The release of all political prisoners and justice for victims must remain non-negotiable demands." Valiantsin Stefanovic, former Vice-President of FIDH, delivered a joint statement on behalf of FIDH and Viasna during the interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in #Belarus at the #HRC62.

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 29/06/2026

#HRC62: Repression in Belarus now targets culture, education, and language UN Special Rapporteur emphasizes that the authorities increasingly regard the use of the Belarusian language as a sign of political disloyalty and persecute people for using it. 👉 digitallibrary.un.org/record/4117856

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 26/06/2026

📢 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: "The main thing to know about torture in #Belarus is that it continues" Interview with Pavel Sapelka, a human rights activist and expert at Viasna - spring96.org/en/news/120587

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#FreeViasna @freeviasna.org · 25/06/2026

❗️Political prisoner Vasil Verameichyk has likely suffered a heart attack After being transferred to a penal colony, he underwent medical examinations and was prescribed several powerful medications. However, instead of receiving a planned operation, Vasil was transferred to a cell-type facility.

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