58 Human Rights Observers Detained Including Front Line Defenders Staff
UPDATE: Front Line Defenders Protection Coordinator Masha Chichtchenkova was released two hours after the detention of fifty-eight observers took place at the offices of Viasna.
At 1pm local time, the offices of Viasna were raided while a training was taking place for human rights defenders. Fifty-eight observers, including Front Line Defenders Protection Coordinator Masha Chichtchenkova, HRDs and Viasna staff were detained, put onto a bus and brought to Pervomaiski district police station.
The Human Rights Centre 'Viasna’ works to promote human rights and provides practical assistance to civic initiatives for the legal defense of citizens. It also conducts research into the state of civil society and legal defense in Belarus.
UPDATE: Front Line Defenders Protection Coordinator Masha Chichtchenkova was released two hours after the detention of fifty-eight observers took place at the offices of Viasna.
At 1pm local time, the offices of Viasna were raided while a training was taking place for human rights defenders. Fifty-eight observers, including Front Line Defenders Protection Coordinator Masha Chichtchenkova, HRDs and Viasna staff were detained, put onto a bus and brought to Pervomaiski district police station.
International human rights organisations including Front Line Defenders, the International Partnership for Human Rights and FIDH will hold a press conference today in Minsk to discuss the ongoing crackdown and mass detentions.
Statement: 58 Human Rights Observers Detained Including Front Line Defenders Staff
