The Viasna Human Rights Center has published its annual report documenting the real state of human rights in Belarus.
Key findings of the report are as follows:
- In 2025, the practice of “silent repression” intensified. Public information about court hearings was discontinued, while access to the database of court decisions was closed;
- Over the year, two people died behind bars, and three died after their release, along with new testimonies of torture and ill-treatment;
- For participation in the 2020 protests, at least 643 people were convicted under Article 342, with persecution continuing even after statutes of limitations had expired;
- Despite pardons, the number of political prisoners continued to grow – on average, around 40 new cases were recognized each month.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, comments on the importance of the report:
“At a time when the regime is trying to present itself to the international community in a more favorable light, including through the ‘release’ of political prisoners, verified and comprehensive information is crucial. Solidarity among Belarusians, who continue to pass information to human rights defenders, plays a key role in documenting repression. Thanks to this, society and international partners still have access to accurate information that the regime is trying to conceal”.
