Belarus
Belarusian authorities continue their “purge” of independent voices prosecuting and harassing human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, opposition politicians, protesters, and activists. Hundreds remain behind bars on politically motivated charges and face ill-treatment in detention. No rights organization is able to operate legally in Belarus.
Belarusian authorities have prosecuted critics of Russia’s war in Ukraine and brutally dispersed anti-war protests, while allowing Russian forces to use Belarus territory to support their invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2022.
Belarus remains the only country in Europe and Central Asia to use the death penalty and expanded the crimes to which it can be imposed in 2022.

- Belarus
More than 1,000 Belarusians Remain in Prison for Exercising Their RightsDecember 15, 2025
Dispatches
Senior Associate Director, Europe and Central Asia Division
Videos
Watch more VideosReports
More reports- December 10, 2024 Report
Poland: Brutal Pushbacks at Belarus Border
Border Guards Use Force, Deny Access to Asylum Procedures

- May 27, 2024 Report
“I Swear to Fulfill the Duties of Defense Lawyer Honestly and Faithfully”
Politically Motivated Crackdown on Human Rights Lawyers in Belarus

- June 7, 2022 Report
Violence and Pushbacks at Poland-Belarus Border
Halt Summary Returns, Ensure Accountability For Abuse

- November 24, 2021 Report
“Die Here or Go to Poland”
Belarus’ and Poland’s Shared Responsibility for Border Abuses

News
- June 23, 2025 Dispatches
Belarus Releases Opposition Politician, 13 Other Political Prisoners
More than One Thousand Political Prisoners Remain Behind Bars

- May 9, 2025 News Release
Belarus: Political Retaliation against Businesses
ILO Annual Conference Should Keep Belarus in the Spotlight

- April 7, 2025 UPR
Submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Belarus
50th Session of the UN Universal Periodic Review, April
- March 25, 2025 Dispatches
Get a Passport or Leave: Russia’s Ultimatum to Ukrainians
New Decree Threatens Rights of Civilians in Russian-Occupied Areas

- February 28, 2025 Letter
Belarus: Support the Renewal of the Special Rapporteur and the Group of Experts
To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council
- January 24, 2025 Dispatches
No Choice for Voters in Belarus’ Sham Elections
Presidential Elections to be Held in a Climate of Fear

- December 10, 2024 Report
Poland: Brutal Pushbacks at Belarus Border
Border Guards Use Force, Deny Access to Asylum Procedures

- October 22, 2024 Dispatches
Increased International Scrutiny over Belarus Crimes
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Asked to Open Probe

- September 30, 2024 Commentary
OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference 30 Sept 2024 Keynote speech
“All we can think about right now, is how to survive”

- September 25, 2024 Dispatches
Belarus Can’t Mask Its Ongoing Political Repression
International Accountability for Continued Rights Abuse is Needed

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