Anton Surapin (fota: Alaksiej Lapicki)
In 2012, a reporter and then a student of journalism department Anton Surapin spent a month in the KGB detention center for allegedly aiding the teddy bear air drop team. Continue reading »
Human Rights Center “Viasna” Continue reading »
Eleven people have been charged with illegal picketing for staging a protest outside the Russian embassy in Minsk on April 2. Continue reading »
Representatives of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” received a response from the Central Election Commission to their proposals on the implementation of the OSCE ODIHR recommendations, which is contrary to previous statements made by Lidziya Yarmoshyna in the media. Continue reading »
The Court of Minsk’s Centraĺny district heard yesterday the cases of 17 opposition activists charged with joining a series of protests staged by entrepreneurs in Minsk in late February and early March. Continue reading »
RUSSIAN FEDERATION: Members of the Joint Mobile Group and journalists attacked in Ingushetia Continue reading »
The experts underline that in their work they focused on the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR that don’t require introducing respective amendments into the Electoral Code and other legislative acts, i.e. they can be implemented before the electoral campaign of the next parliamentary elections kicks off, by means of regulations of the Central Electoral Committee. Continue reading »
27-28 February, International experts joined ILIA program lawyers from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine to discuss the application of UN and Council of Europe human rights mechanisms. Continue reading »
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” has analyzed the situation in places of detention in Belarus and prepared a report on the results of monitoring in 2015. Continue reading »
Due to appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) Viciebsk member of the Conservative Christian Party BPF Jan Dzyarzhautsau managed to defend their rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly. Continue reading »
The UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint by Kanstantsin Zhukouski, a freelance journalist in Homieĺ, who was fined for covering a protest in Svietlahorsk in November 2014. Continue reading »
The Assembly of Democratic NGOs and the Center for Legal Transformation Lawtrend have prepared an annual report “Freedom of Associations and Legal Conditions for Non-Profit Organizations In Belarus”. Continue reading »
In Połacak February 13 local lawyers and human rights activists have signed an agreement on joint activities. Human rights activists have joined together to provide free assistance to residents of Połacak. In an economic downturn citizens are increasingly in need of legal protection of their rights, but do not have enough finances to pay for a lawyer. Continue reading »
In accordance with Article 8 of the Criminal Executive Code, which enshrines the foundations of the legal status of convicted persons, the State guarantees the protection of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of convicts, provides the statutory conditions of application of punishments and other measures of criminal responsibility in relation to convicts, guarantees social justice, their social, legal and other protection. Continue reading »
The Belarusian government has responded to a complaint submitted the UN Human Rights Committee by Volha Hrunova, the mother of Aliaksandr Hrunou, who was executed in 2014.
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A film about human rights defender Ales Bialiatski from the documentary series A Heart That Never Dies by filmmakers Erling Borgen of Norway and Tom Heinemann of Denmark is available online. Continue reading »
Miklós Haraszti, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus
The Belarusian government has responded to a complaint submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee on behalf of former political prisoner Yury Rubtsou. The letter says that Rubtsou was not prosecuted for expressing his opinion, but for disobeying a lawful order from a police officer. Continue reading »
At the end of December 2015 the UN Human Rights Council has registered a complaint Viciebsk resident Peter Berlinov. Continue reading »
Freelance journalist Natallia Kryvashei complains to UN Human Rights Committee Continue reading »
“President Aliaksander Lukashenka released on humanitarian grounds six opposition figures who had been imprisoned on politically motivated charges, but the overall human rights situation in Belarus in 2015 did not improve,” said Human Rights Watch in its annual World Report 2016. Continue reading »
A complaint submitted by human rights activist Leanid Markhotka to challenge a ban on a street protest imposed by the authorities of Salihorsk in December 2014 will be considered by the UN Human Rights Council. Continue reading »
On January 12, the Homieĺ District Court sentenced local journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to a fine of 4.6 mln rubles on charges of violating Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code (illegal manufacture of media products, and working without accreditation for foreign media). Continue reading »
The UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint submitted by Aliaksandar Protska, a resident of Homieĺ who attempted to stage a protest against the charges his daughter faced for alleged human trafficking. The communication has been sent to the State for comments on the merits. Continue reading »
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has written to the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Uladzimir Makei urging the government to respect the country’s international obligations within the framework of the United Nations and to take steps to implement key requirements of the Human Rights Committee in the case of Ales Bialiatski, including the registration of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and cancellation of his criminal record. Continue reading »
Human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka has received a decision adopted at the autumn session of the UN Human Rights Committee in case No. Continue reading »
On December 24, journalist Larysa Shchyrakova was charged with illegal manufacture of media products (Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code) for the TV channel “Belsat”. Continue reading »
European Humanities University (EHU) Lecturer Liudmila Ulyashyna has successfully defended her dissertation International Legal Standards in the Field of Human Rights and Their Implementation: Doctrinal and Practical Study at Vilnius University.
She works as a lawyer and manages the “International Law in Advocacy” program at the Oslo-based Human Rights House Network. In this interview with EHU she discusses her work and the development of human rights law. Continue reading »
VIENNA 16 April 2015
VIENNA, 16 April 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the sentencing of Rasul Jafarov, a free expression and free media advocate and human rights defender in Azerbaijan, to six and a half years in a penal colony. Continue reading »
A number of Belarusian NGOs have published a report prepared by graduates and experts of the Human Rights House Network’s program “International Law in Advocacy” as a result of a study entitled “Efficiency of the Use of International Human Rights Mechanisms in Respect of Belarus”. Continue reading »
Human rights activist Pavel Levinau received a message stating that the complaint distributor of the newspaper “Vitebsk courier” Mikhail Zhuravlev registered. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations informed of registration under number 2495/2014 submitted to the HRC communications under the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Continue reading »
On 18 February, Yury Varonezhtsau, a resident of Homel who sent a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee, received a message from Geneva saying that his communication had been accepted by the Committee for consideration. The United Nations Human Rights Committee says it has registered the complaint authored together with human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka. The complaint dealt with a ban on a street rally in support of political prisoner Ales Bialiatski expected to be held in Homel on 4 August 2013.
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The UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint by a Homel activist of the United Civil Party Eduard Neliubovich, who appeals a ban on a street procession in support of the Ukrainian people and its wish to live in the European Union. He also appeals the prohibition of a picket in support of Ales Bialiatski and his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Continue reading »
This is the conclusion made by local human rights defenders and civil society activists after familiarizing with the new ruling of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee of December 29, 2014 № 3778 “On mass events in Baranavichy and Repeal of certain decisions of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee”. Continue reading »
Representatives of the leading Belarusian human rights organizations met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Belarus Miklos Haraszti. The event was held on February 2-3 in Vilnius as the Belarusian authorities do not recognize the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur and don’t let him visit Belarus. Continue reading »
After a series of circuit court hearings held at the police department of the Tsentralny district in Minsk, which caused much indignation, the official website of the Supreme Court published an official message providing “explanations regarding an incorrect media report”.
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A few days ago the Belarusian National Bar Association informed about a probability of cooperation with the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), an organization that has repeatedly criticized the flaws in the work of Belarusian counsels after the events of December 19, 2010 in Minsk.
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The Salihorsk District Court has dismissed an appeal filed by local human rights activist Leanid Markhotka against a ban imposed by the district executive committee on a picket scheduled for the Human Rights Day, December 10. The case was considered by Judge Ala Trafimchuk. Continue reading »
Ihar Kazmiarchak, an opposition activist in Orsha, has received a reply to his letter to the Ministry of Information, where he requested to assess the actions of responsible persons who aired an interview with Maksim Martsinkevich, a known supporter of neo-Nazism, on the government-owned STV channel. Continue reading »
In early June, the activists of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Viktar Sazonau from Hrodna, Ales Kaputski from Maladzechna, Tamara Shchapetkina from Biaroza, and Sviatlana Lapitskaia from Zhodzina visited Stockholm to get acquainted with the Swedish system of human rights protection, and with the work of Swedish colleagues. Continue reading »
Grodno City Executive Committee denied activists of the United Civil Party to hold a picket for the resignation of the country’s leadership. Continue reading »
Having labeled a photo session on a background of graffiti as unauthorized picketing, the Chyhunachny District Court of Vitebsk fined six participants. Attempts to appeal this decision to the Regional Court have so far brought no success. The fines are now being appealed to the chairman of the Regional Court.
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According to Uladzimir Vuyek, deputy chairman of the United Civil Party and the party’s leader in Brest, activists and supporters of the party have submitted 18 applications for holding pickets. Continue reading »
Consideration of the periodic report of Belarus in the United Nations Human Rights Committee rescheduled from the 113 session (March 2015) to the 114th session that is to be held in July 2015. Information about this appeared on the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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January 15, a preliminary hearing on the appeal of the human rights activist Siarhei Housha against the ban on his picket, issued by Baranavichy City Eecutive Committee on December 5, 2014, took place at the Baranavichy City and District Court. Continue reading »
The UN Committee on Human Rights published a decision on the appeal № 1987/2010, adopted at the 112th session of the Committee. According to this decision, the Republic of Belarus as a country – party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights recognizes the rights violator activist Anatoly Stambrovski provided for in paragraph 2 of article 19 of the Covenant.
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January 8, Hrodna Regional Court dismissed the appeal of the journalist Andrei Mialeshka against a fine. Judge Anatol Zayats supported the court of the first instance and left its verdict unchanged.
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2015 will be a key year for Belarus. Continue reading »
The United Nations Human Rights Committee at its October session examined the case of ex-presidential candidate Aliaksandr Kazulin and found violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, says human rights activist Raman Kisliak, Radio Racyja reports. Continue reading »
Human rights activist Siarhei Housha has filed a complaint to the Baranavichy City Court against the decision of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee according to which he has been prohibited to hold a picket dedicated to the 66th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Continue reading »
Human rights activist Leanid Markhotka has sent to the court of Salihorsk district an appeal against a ban imposed by local officials on a picket that was scheduled for Human Rights Day. Prior to this, Mr. Markhotka wrote to the prosecutor, but that attempt failed.
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Alena Tankachova, Director of the Center for Legal Transformation “Lawtrend”, sent on December 24 to the court of Minsk’s Pershamaiski district an appeal against the decision of the district police department to expel her from the country for three years.
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The Vitsebsk Regional Court has heard the appeals of local journalists and activists who were fined for unauthorized picketing as a result of a photo session on November 5. The appeals were dismissed by the court, who did not accept the arguments that it was not picketing, but a photo shoot and upheld the ruling of the Chuhynachny district court.
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The human rights public association “Movement of supporters for the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights PAKT” has been registered in Lithuania. This was announced by the NGO’s executive director Leanid Sudalenka. Continue reading »
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has considered the case of an activist of the Movement For Freedom Vital Symonik and found a violation of his right to disseminate information (Art. 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). Continue reading »
Vitebsk human rights activist Leonid Svetik appealed to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus with the proposals to consider life insurance and health of prisoners (convicts). Continue reading »
Human rights activist appealed to the Chyhunachny District Executive Committee to inform it about his intention to get photographed with his friends just for the sake of taking photos. Continue reading »
In 2014, 27 people applied to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations with the assistance of Homel Centre for Strategic Litigation. As a result, three communications were accepted for consideration on the merits. Continue reading »
December 10 is the Human Rights Day, which is celebrated around the world. On this day in 1948 the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka and the civil society activist Halina Bialova have received an answer from Homel City Executive Committee regarding their application for holding a procession on Human Rights Day, December 10.
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Baranavichy City Executive Committee banned the picket dedicated to the 66th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, organized by the human rights activists Viachaslau Bolbat and Siarhei Housha.
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Deputy Chair on ideological work of Salihorsk District Executive Committee Mikalai Maskevich turned down an application of the local representatives of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee for holding a picket on the occasion of the Human Rights Day on the central square of the town. Continue reading »
UN Human Rights Committee on condemned the violation of Belarus’s international legal obligations through the execution of Aliaksandr Hrunou whose case was considered by the HRC at the time. HRC requested Belarusian authorities to suspend the execution of the sentence until the consideration of the case, but the sentence was carried out, and now the case will be considered, despite the fact that the applicant had already been shot.
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On November 27, the Svetlahorsk City Court was expected to hear the administrative charges brought against Yury Liashenka, an activist for the right of persons with disabilities.
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The human rights activist wants to get an official response, can be photographed in Vitebsk without permission. The basis for the administration of the treatment was the incident with the Vitebsk journalists and activists who are accused of holding an unauthorized action “based on” snapshots with the photo shoot. Continue reading »
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” publishes the official text of a decision taken by the United Nations Human Rights Committee in the case of its leader and vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights, Ales Bialiatski.
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Another administrative trial of deputy chairman of the Conservative Christian Party BPF, Yuras Belenki, will be held on November 28 in the Leninski District Court of Minsk.
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On November 21, the court of the Maskouski district of Minsk considered an appeal against a decision of the Minsk City Executive Committee, which banned a picket of solidarity with Ukraine citing obviously far-fetched reasons, the press service of the Committee “Solidarity” reports.
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The United Nations Human Rights Committee has found numerous violations of the right to disseminate information against a United Civil Party activist from Homel Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh. The Committee recommends the Belarusian authorities to restore the activist’s rights, to compensate for all the costs incurred, as well as to change the law “On Mass Events”. Continue reading »
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has found a violation of the right to peaceful assembly and information in the case of BPF member Siarhei Lazenka. The activist sent his individual communication back in 2008. Continue reading »
During its 112th session United Nations Human Rights Committee adopted new general comment number 35 on Art. 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: the right to liberty and security of person. Continue reading »
On November 17 the court of Pershamaisky district of Minsk started the trial of the deputy chairman of the Conservative Christian Party BNF Yuras Belenki. He is accused of breaking the law on mass events as the organizer of the meeting (Part 2 art.23.34 of the Administrative Code). Continue reading »
Remarkable decision against states that violate the freedom of association
Paris-Minsk, 17 November 2014 – In a decision that will go down in history, on 24 September 2014 the UN Human Rights Committee officially recognized that the Republic of Belarus violated the rights of Ales Bialiatski, President of Human Rights Centre “Viasna” and FIDH Vice President. Continue reading »
Homel Center for Strategic litigation sent a message to Christof Heyns, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings. Continue reading »
The case of the resident of the Drahichyn district Vasil Yuzepchuk was considered by the United Nations Human Rights Committee in October 2014. The Committee admitted violation of paragraph 3 of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as Yuzepchuk was not brought before a judge promptly to address the issue of his arrest. Continue reading »
Amnesty International is deeply concerned that death row prisoner Eduard Lykau is at imminent risk of execution in Belarus. Continue reading »
Members of the Conservative Christian Party Belarusian Popular Front Piatro Sarapenia and Yan Dziarzhautsau wanted to conduct their event on November 7 in order to inform the citizens about the consequences of the October coup d’etat and the need to ban the Communist Party of Belarus and its ideology. Continue reading »
Belarusian human rights organizations appealed to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, as well as to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus with a request to urgently intervene.
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The traditional commemorative action in the memory of ancestors, “Dzyady-2014”, including a march and a rally, took place on November 2, 2014. The event was organized by the Conservative Christian Party BPF. Continue reading »
Persecution of expression is the most often one in Belarus. Homel Center for Strategic litigation made this conclusion on the bases of analysis of all decisions of the UN Committee on Human Rights made on Belarusian cases. Head of the Center Leanid Sudalenka emphasized: every second Belarusian case considered in Geneva is on prosecution of people for expressing opinions.
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According to the website eurobelarus.info, head of the Center for Legal Transformation Lawtrend Alena Tankachovais going to appeal the decision on the cancellation of the residence permit and focus on the question of possible removal. Continue reading »
The situation with human rights in Belarus remains stably bad.
It has been proved by the report on the human rights situation in Belarus by the special UN rapporteur Miklosz Kharaszti. “Radio Svaboda” has been told about that by the chairman of “Viasna” human rights centre, Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights Ales Bialitski. Continue reading »
The Secretary-General of the UN has received an official letter from Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations, which will be considered as a document of the Third Committee on 69 session of UN General Assembly. Its full title is – “Belarus and human rights: general views and cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms from 2012 to 2014”
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The UN Special Rapporteuron Belarus, Miklos Haraszti on October 28 presented his report on the situationin the countrywithin the framework ofthe 69 thsession of theUN General Assembly.
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At the 69th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on October 23 was presented the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Michel Forst. Continue reading »
Meeting on the Freedom Day(Dzien Voli) on March 25, 2009 ended with detention for Ihar Bazarau and Valery Aliaksandrau . Two days later, the Court of the October District they were fined in the amount of two basic units.
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The Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Michel Forst, is to present his first report tothe General Assembly on October 23rd 2014. TheSpecial Rapporteur on the situation of humanrights in Belarus, Miklos Harastzi, is to present athematic report on human rights defenders inBelarus to the General Assembly on October 28.
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Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus rejects appeal of member of the campaign “Tell the Truth” Alexander Kuzmin from Belaazersk, who asked to cancel the court rulings regarding the validity of a written warning, made by Bereza prosecutor’s office under Art. 193.3 of the Criminal Code – activity on behalf of an unregistered organization.
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October 9, Mozyr activist Uladzimir Tseliapun appealed to the Mozyr Inter-District Prosecutor’s Office asking to assess the legality and validity of the judgment on his complaint. The reason for the appeal was the doubt that the judgment issued by the Mozyr District Court was competent, fair and impartial.
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Vitsebsk activists are trying to convince the executive committee of the necessity to amend the decision on mass events. The officials respond that it is flawless and meets all legal requirements. However, the official who is mentioned in it is serving a sentence for a bribe.
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Ales Bialiatski, head of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna” and Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights, was in Strasbourg at the opening session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where on September 29 has been named the winner of the Vaclav Havel Prizeon human rights.
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Members of the Conservative Christian Party BNF Jan Dzyarzhautsau Aleh Emialianau and Peter Sarapenia applied for meetings at the three districts of the city. And have got refuses from three district administrations.
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The trial of Bobruisk journalist Maryna Molchanova is scheduled on the 18th September. As its written in the service of summons, she is going to be judged under Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code, “Violation of legislation on the media.” Continue reading »
September 9, human rights activist Siarhei Housha filed a complaint to the Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee against the decision of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee dated July 14, 2014, prohibiting picketing on 27 July.
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