2016 08/06
2016 13/04
Below is a summary and 28 minutes of video (Rus.) Continue reading »
2016 03/03
It’s very complicated… when oligarchs or the modern “kings” in power believe that only they have exclusive rights for Human Rights.
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2016 28/02
Legislation severely restricting freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly remained in place. Journalists continued to face harassment.
2016 10/02
Miklós Haraszti, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus
GENEVA (9 February 2016) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Miklós Haraszti, today warned that opposition leaders, human rights activists, journalists, and many other citizens have been subjected to harassment, administrative procedures and fines since the October presidential election.
2016 31/01
“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 »
2015 27/02
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 »
2014 31/10
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 »
2014 30/10
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 »
2014 28/10
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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2014 28/10
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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2014 25/10
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 »
2014 22/10
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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2014 26/07
On Thursday it was announced that Belarus has sent an invitation to the UN Human Rights Council Rapporteurs. Human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich said that this is not the first time that our government invites UN experts, but the approach to the process is very selective.
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2014 26/06
GENEVA (24 June 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Miklós Haraszti, welcomed the release from prison of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, but called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and their full rehabilitation. Continue reading »
2014 09/06
“Pact” unites Belarusian citizens on whose complaints the UN Human Rights Committee made or is going to make a decision.
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2013 23/09
The General Assembly of the United Nations released the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus.
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2012 23/01
On 23 January, experts of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs and the Center for Legal Transformation presented the results of monitoring of the situation with non-governmental organizations and freedom of association in Belarus in 2011.
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2011 21/12
UN
New York, 19 December 2011 — This morning, the United Nations General Assembly in New York adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. This landmark document recognises the right of every one of the planet’s seven billion people to have access to human rights education, a lifelong process involving all ages, all parts of society, and every kind of education, formal and informal.
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2011 26/09
The UN Human Rights Council has considered the interim report on the situation of political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers following the 19 December 2010 presidential election in Belarus.
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2010 10/02
The complainants are going to file an appeal in the case of the protection of the right to peaceful assembly in Zhodzina, following a negative decision by the Acting Chief Judge Tatsiana Tratsiuk issued on 27.01.2010. Continue reading »
2010 27/01
Zhodzina town court
On 27.01.2010 from 10-00 to 11-30 Zhodzina Town Court held the last hearing on the protection of the right to peaceful assembly in Zhodzina, where over the past 9 years, not a single mass event, applied for by the citizens, human rights activists or non-governmental organizations and political actors, was permitted.
The court sessions was held by Deputy Chair of the Court Judge Tatsiana Tratsiuk. The executive committee was represented by lawyer Volha Verhel.
2010 06/01
Аlaksiej Lapicki, Zhodzina
The Zhodzina human rights defender Aliaksei Lapitski, as a continuation of correspondence on the collective claims from the residents of the ‘Chernobyl House’ registered today, 05.01.2010, his appeal to local authorities in the executive committee of Zhodzina. Continue reading »
2009 30/11
Леанід Судалека, Гомель
An activist of the Movement “For Freedom” received a negative reply to his proposal to publish in the local newspaper information about the contest dedicated to the day of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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2009 19/11
Alaksiej Lapicki
I cannot but express my thoughts and attitudes about the very laconic and aptly remark by the known in Belarus and far beyond human rights defender, my friend, Ales Bialiatski.
His findings are absolutely accurate and indisputable!
In fact, freedom of speech, thought, information dissemination, as well as freedom of association and peaceful assembly … are only real prerequisites for the normal existence of civil society, the existence of different public stances and public dialogue in it. This free space and a public pluralism of ideas are essential for providing conditions for a meaningful choice in society. Continue reading »
2009 16/11
Eastern Partnership Forum
The first session of the Civil Society Forum in the framework of the Eastern Partnership policy of the EU is held in Brussels on November 16-17. The conference is organised by Sweden, the country presiding in the EU, the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). About 240 public associations from 6 partner countries: Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are taking part in the meeting. Continue reading »
2009 22/10
Siarhei Housha, Baranavichy
Baranavichy human rights activist Siarhei Housha has lodged a repeated complaint with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, voicing his opposition to the Ministry’s reply, which named the Optional Protocol as ‘not having a binding effect’ for the parties to the Treaty to implement the conclusions by the UN Human Rights Committee.
In his complaint, the human rights activist stresses that the conclusions by the Committee ARE binding, which is stated in Article 61 of the Belarusian Constitution, securing everyone’s right, under international legal acts, ratified by Belarus, to address international organizations to protect one’s rights and freedoms, in case he or she is unable to find rehabilitation within the national legal system. Continue reading »
2009 18/10
Aliaksei Lapitski
It is no wonder, for with the presidential election near at hand, more and more official and ‘right’ appeals should be heard. However, ‘clamour’ by the regime’s opponents is well seen in mass media. The regime should have its ‘advocates of power’ among the so called actively prepared, venal and adapted ‘manageable part of the opposition.’ Those who can be bought are being bought today. Those who cannot – are marked as targets for well-planned and sanctioned ‘political cleansings’ – psychological and administrative pressure, intimidation and discriminative persecution. Continue reading »
2009 23/03
Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, commented on the decision concerning the EU sanctions against Belarus, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers on 16 March:
‘We have agreed that the European Union should continue its engagements in Belarus and supporting the positive events in the country. Therefore, we have agreed to prolong visa sanctions suspension for several Belarusian officials for another 9 months. Continue reading »
2009 20/02
HR Center Viasna
In spite of the fact that the action was peaceful, the demonstrators were attacked by representatives of the Belarusian riot police, using violence and compliance weapons. As a result, dozens of citizens were beaten up. Continue reading »
2009 16/02
Does the current version of the Belarusian Constitution correspond to the universally recognized principles of the international law?
How does the state implement the imperative procedures of the international law, stated in the international treaties and resulting in its high obligations?
It is high time to raise these crucial questions. The answers to these questions will determine the country’s reputation and help Belarus find its place among other European countries.
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2009 14/02
Council of Europe
HELP’s Belarusian web-page has been created and will be updated with relevant legal and educational resources. It will also feature materials and electronic educational programs, useful links and other online information, dealing with both the existing and newer educational programs in the field of law, aimed at accurate understanding and practical usage of the ECHR’s regulations.
2009 02/02
A number of Belarusian human rights experts have launched a public campaign aimed at the abolition of capital punishment in Belarus.
A special petition drawn up by representatives of the Belarusian human rights community will be sent to the Parliament, the Government and the President of Belarus.
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2009 29/01
Aleh Hulak
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2009 21/01
Stanislav Markelov, famous Russian lawyer, was assassinated in the center of Moscow on 19 January.
Markelov was member of the Interrepublican Bar and founder of the Institute of the Supremacy of Law. He has provided legal assistance in a number of cases after the violent break-ups of demonstrations in Minsk and worked as an observer in the 2001 presidential election. The lawyer participated in a number of notorious trials of abuses by Russia’s army in Chechnya, crimes against journalists and anti-Fascist activists. Continue reading »
2009 14/01
On 25 December unknown persons damaged protective rollets and defiled them with swastikas in a Navapolatsk-based human rights organization. Human rights activist Zmitser Salauyou addressed Navapolatsk town prosecutor’s office with a demand to investigate the attack, naming it an outrage against public order and an attempt to stir up national hatred by an unknown Navapolatsk neo-Nazi organization.
2008 12/12
On December 10, the International Human Rights Day, Belarusian Helsinki Committee released its latest report on the situation in the field of human rights in Belarus in 2007-2008. The Russian version can be found at the BHC web-site , or downloaded here. Continue reading »
2008 14/11
The Human Rights House in Vilnius organizes the contest for the best photograph illustrating the realization of any human rights or freedom in Belarus. The action is timed to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a result of the contest the best photo will be chosen in each nomination, and the author will receive a prize – either a trip to Vilnius for two persons for a weekend, or a certain sum of money. Continue reading »
2008 11/11
Court refused to consider election case on suit of Zhodzina human rights defenders once and for all…
On 10 November 2008 Aliaksei Lapitski received by mail the decision of the cassation instance, the College Board of Minsk city court, dated 23 October 2008 concerning his private lawsuit of 21 September 2008. Continue reading »
2008 20/10
On October 20, the Legal Initiative Homel office announced the beginning of an essay contest dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The contest is meant for schoolchildren and university students of Homel, willing to write works covering the subjects of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in everyday life and human rights in Belarus. Continue reading »
2008 02/10
Aliaksei Lapitski
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2008 29/09
Minsk, September 29th, 2008
Elections to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, 4th convocation.
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2008 10/09
What runs the show in Belarusian courts: ideological expediency or the Law?
A number of Zhodzina human rights activists have submitted a claim to the Un Human Rights Committee to protect their civil and political rights.
The UN office in Belarus has considered the claim and submitted it for the further consideration of the Geneva-based Human Rights Committee.
2008 20/08
‘Legal opportunities and obstacles on the way of implementing international and constitutional law in the Belarusian civil and criminal legal proceedings.’
Some would say the possibility of implementing the legal instruments of international and constitutional law in the Belarusian judiciary is nothing but a joke, for it really seems to be pure fantasy or fairy-tales…
As a matter of fact, some experts think that the legal sphere dealing with civil rights and freedoms is, for today’s Belarus, rather an ideological than a legal issue – it is normally viewed through the lenses of ideological expediency and the absolute authority of the executive power. Meanwhile, judges are perceived as appointed pro-government officials… Continue reading »
2008 16/01
When speaking about restricting human rights, one always runs the risk of feeling alerted and anxious. Human rights are a universal value and any restriction of these rights may undermine the essence of the value. However, according to the famous Polish human rights activist Marek Novicky, as far the European law is concerned, such anxiety is groundless, since restrictions are a fact and they should exist, but their amount and manifestation is to be carefully controlled. [4, 22-23]
