Widespread arrests, harassment, and reported torture | View in browser [[link removed]] .


[[link removed]]
[[link removed]] (© Amnesty International)"I come out to protest as a defender,
an observer and a witness"

- 73-year-old Nina Baginskaya, one of over 300 women arrested
on September 19 during the Women’s March in Minsk

>> Sign Amnesty's petition to demand an end to police violence against peaceful
protesters
[[link removed]]


Dear John,

Every day, thousands of Belarusian people continue to take to the streets across the country to protest what they see as a rigged presidential election.
The police crackdown has been brutal and unrelenting.

All members of the opposition Coordination Council are now either in exile or
detention , including Maryia Kalesnikava, who reportedly tore up her passport to prevent
her expulsion from the country. She faces up to 5 years in prison on charges of
"actions aimed at undermining Belarusian national security".

Dozens of other high-profile political and civil society activists have also
been arrested on trumped-up charges. Some were targeted solely for their human
rights work.

Human rights defender Marfa Rabkova, from the prominent Human Rights Centre
“Viasna”, was arrested on September 17. A close and longstanding partner of
Amnesty International, Viasna is one of the most important sources of
information about human rights violations in Belarus.

Marfa Rabkova has been central to that effort, coordinating the monitoring of
street protests and the collection of testimonies of survivors of torture and
other human rights violations. Now she herself is at risk in detention.


[[link removed]]

WATCH VIDEO: Hundreds of women detained by police during peaceful protest
[[link removed]]

Since Belarus’ presidential election on August 9, the world has been shocked by
images and reports that expose brutal police violence against peaceful
protesters, in the streets and in detention.

>> Sign this petition to demand that the police violence ends now, and those
responsible are held to account.
[[link removed]]

Hundreds of thousands of Belarusian people have taken to the streets across the
country to protest electoral violations, police brutality and severe reprisals
against peaceful dissent; demanding truth, justice and accountability for the
perpetrators.

The authorities have responded with widespread arrests, harassment and
intimidation, using rubber bullets, stun grenades, tear gas and water cannons
against protesters. Over 7,000 people have been detained, including dozens of
journalists. Hundreds reported torture and other ill-treatment in police
stations and detention facilities. At least two protesters have died.


[[link removed]]

Amnesty International and local human rights groups have collected horrifying
testimonies from protesters who describe being tortured or subjected to other
ill-treatment in detention centres, including being stripped naked, beaten, and
threatened with rape.

Former detainees told us about being forced to lie in the dirt while police kick
and beat them with truncheons. They described being stripped naked and subjected
to sadistic beatings while listening to the screams of other victims.

These are people whose only “crime” was to take to the streets in peaceful
protest. What we are seeing in Belarus is a human rights catastrophe that
demands urgent action.

> Please join this global petition now for the protection of the rights to
freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Belarus.
[[link removed]]

What’s happening in Belarus right now is an unprecedented level of protest
activity, and an equally unprecedented crackdown on human rights by the
authorities.

Thank you for joining tens of thousands of Amnesty supporters around the world
letting the Belarus government know that the world is watching.

In solidarity,



Hilary

Hilary Homes
Crisis & Tactical Campaigner
Amnesty International Canada


P.S. Belarusians demanding respect for their human rights on the streets need
solidarity from people like you. Add your name to the global petition to stop the violence and hold those
responsible to account.
[[link removed]]





[[link removed]] [[link removed]] [[link removed]] DONATE
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]

You received this email because you requested to be informed about opportunities
to protect human rights.
If you do not wish to receive emails from Amnesty, click here
[[link removed]] .


Amnesty International Canadian Section (English Speaking)
312 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1H9 1-800-AMNESTY (266-3789)
Charitable Registration # 11878 5914 RR0001


View Amnesty's privacy policy [[link removed]]