On August 29 in Homiel Soviet district court an administrative hearing of the report issued by miltia officers against activist Igor Sluchak took place. Continue reading »
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your intervention in the following situation in Belarus.
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Discussions on this topic and a brief comparative analysis of two very vivid trials in Zhodzina are presented here grounding on two trials in which one and the same citizen, a human rights defender, had to participate as a defendant (30.06.2011) and as an applicant (8.22 .2011). Thus, during 1 month Aliaksiey Lapitsky had to talk to the police twice: about the incidents of 29.06.2011 which happened in the town’s square, and the incident of 29.7.2011 happened near the living house. Continue reading »
On 22.08.2011 from 9-00 to 9-50 in Zhodzina Town Court the administrative trial took place on the criminal assault of M. Yakautsou who lived in Skaryna str, house 3 on Zhodzina human rights activist Aliaksiey Lapitski. The man attaked Aliaksiey bout 20-00 near the 4th entrance of a multistory building, inflicting bodily harm with a knife – a wound on the right hand. The trial was chaired by Judge M. Samoyla. Continue reading »
2 Viasna activists – Viktar Sazonau (Hrodna) and Alena Laptsionak (Minsk) – have been interrogated by investigators of the financial investigation department of the State Control Committee. Continue reading »
22.08.2011 In Zhodzina protest actions in support of Ales Bialiatsky were held. Human rights activists distributed information materials, leaflets, pasted posters “Freedom for Ales Bialiatsky”. Continue reading »
Picketing in Zhodzina was banned and any practical opportunity to adjust or coordinate positions in order to achieve a positive solution was shut out. The response to the request about violating Art. 6, Part 1of the Law “On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus” came only 12 days after its filing. Continue reading »
Homel city executive committee has banned a number of pickets of support to Ales Bialiatski scheduled for 22 August. Continue reading »
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” keeps receiving letters of support to Ales Bialiatski. Continue reading »
As it became known citizens’ picketing in support of political prisoner Nikita Likhavid were banned not only by Borisov district executive committee. Unmotivated refusals of picketing were also signed by vice-chairmen of Lahoysky district and Zhodzina town executive committies – G. Drahunau and Y. Shary.
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On 16 August, the Belarusian Ministry of Justice disbarred lawyer Mrs. Tamara Sidarenka, famous for defending former presidential candidates in so called “mass riot” trials. Continue reading »
Lars Bünger, chairman of the Swiss-based Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights, has joined the civil campaign for the release of Viasna’s leader Ales Bialiatski by signing a personal guarantee for the Belarusian human rights defender.
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Zhodzina human rights activists, Aliaksiey Lapitsky and Sviatlana Lapitskaya, claimed a picket in defense of Ales Bialiatsky on 08/22/2011. According to the current legislation, they sent the request to the Executive Committee on 08/07/2011, 15 days before the scheduled date of the event. The picket was supposed to inform Zhodzina citizens about the arrest of the well-known human rights activist Ales Bialiatsky which happened in Minsk. Continue reading »
In connection with cancellation of a judicial decision according to which Anatol Paplauny was forced to serve 15 days of administrative arrest last month, Homel human rights defenders are going to prove the fact of imposition of knowingly lawless sentence. Continue reading »
The human rights defender will be kept in custody at least till 14 August evening. Continue reading »
On 8 August, Rosemary Thomas, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, paid a visit to the office as well.
We all are Ales: Libereco demands release of Human Rights Defender Ales Bialiatski
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CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation strongly condemns the arrest of Aliaksandr (Ales) Bialiatski, prominent Belarusian human rights defender, vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and head of the Minsk-based human rights centre Viasna. Continue reading »

The Swedish human rights organization Östgruppen demands the immediate release of the Chairperson of the Human Rights Center Viasna Ales Bialiatski.
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On 4 August 2011, Ales Bialiatski, Chair of the Human Rights Center Viasna in Belarus, was detained in Minsk. We see his detention as a direct result of Ales Bialiatski’s legitimate activities in defense of human rights in Belarus. We call upon the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ales Bialiatski and to stop the criminal persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and activists in Belarus.
Friday, 05 August 2011
Download statement to the right.
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Zhana Litvina, Chairperson of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, commented on the detention of a BAJ member, human rights defender Ales Bialiatski.
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URGENT APPEAL – THE OBSERVATORY
BLR 007 / 0811 / OBS 104
Arbitrary arrest / Incomunicado detention
Belarus
August 4, 2011
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Ales Bialiatski, Chair of the Human Rights Center Viasna, was detained at about 4.45 p.m. near Peramoha Square, by people in mufti who introduced themselves as officers of financial police. This is all he managed to tell to his colleague Uladzimir Labkovich on the phone. Then he was prohibited to talk. Continue reading »
1 August 2011
AI Index: PRE01/377/2011
The Belarusian government’s proposal to ban almost any kind of protest is yet another assault on the Belarusian people’s right to freedom of expression and assembly, Amnesty International said today.
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