Minsk-Paris, 24 November 2011 – Today, Ales Bialiatski, FIDH Vice-President and President of the Belarusian Human Rights Center “Viasna” (Viasna), was sentenced to 4 and a half years strict regime detention, the payment of a fine, as well as the confiscation of his property, including Viasna’s offices and property registered with members of his family. Continue reading »
The Human Rights Organisation Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights condemns the jail sentence of 4.5 years that was imposed on the Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski on November 24th 2011. Together with Belarusian and international human rights organisations Libereco demands the immediate and unconditional release of Ales Bialiatski, who has been detained and sentenced for political reasons only.
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The Belarusian authorities must immediately release a prominent human rights activist convicted today on politically motivated financial charges, Amnesty International said today. Continue reading »
Ales Bialiatski, the head of the well-known human rights organization Viasna in Belarus this morning sentenced to four and a half years in prison and confiscation of property for tax evasion.
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The Belarusian civil society received a severe blow today. Ales Bialiatski, Chariman of the human rights organisation Viasna, was sentenced for tax evasion to four and a half years in prison and confiscation of property.
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Judge Siarhei Bandarenka of Minsk Pershamaiski District Court has resumed the hearing of the criminal case of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski.
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On November 22 and 23, 2011 hearings on the case of the head of the human rights center “Viasna”, vice-president of the International Federation on Human Rights Ales Bialiatsky continued in Minsk. Continue reading »
First trials against the young people detained on Friday and Saturday were held in the town of Krupki (the Minsk region).
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Former lieutenant-colonel of Salihorsk financial police Viktar Malochka keeps fighting for the rehabilitation of his rights, reportedly violated by two arbitrary detentions during so called “silent protests” on 15 and 22 June.
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The Human Rights Defenders Against the Death Penalty are calling upon everyone to help save human lives by signing the online petition against the possible execution of Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavaliou.
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“Viasna” urges the Belarusian authorities to immediately put an end to abuses against prisoner of conscience Andrei Sannikau and his family.
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The UN Human Rights Committee has registered an individual complaint by Homel human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka against an arbitrary detention by the Belarusian border troops ahead of the 2010 presidential election. Continue reading »
November 16, 2011 in Minsk saw the fifth day of the hearing of Human Rights Center Viasna Head and Vice-president of FIDH Ales Bialiatski.
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On 17 November, Brest Regional Court dismissed an appeal by local human rights defender Raman Kisliak against a BYR 350,000 fine for staging a picket of solidarity with the imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski on 16 October.
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The whereabouts of Belarusian prisoner of conscience Andrei Sannikau are currently unknown. Amnesty International fears he may be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.
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On November 10, 2011 in Minsk, the 4th day began of the trial of Ales Bialiatski, head of human rights center Viasna, vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). The International Observation Mission of the Committee on International Control over the Situation with Human Rights in Belarus followed the progress of the process. Today’s hearing was devoted to the interrogation of the accused.
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The trials conducted in the aftermath of the 19 December 2010 presidential election in Belarus highlighted the need for a substantial reform of the country’s justice system.
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In the evening of November 13 the chairman of the Homiel region UCP Vasil Paliakou was released from detention centre. On the same day he stopped a protest hunger strike, which lasted 5 days.
Let’s remind that Vasil Paliakou was arrested by law enforcement agencies in the evening of November 8. The trial over Vasil was organized the next day in the Soviet district court of Homiel. The activist was accused of breaking the law “On mass events” when preparing for the People’s Assembly, scheduled for Nov. 12. The judge Kupratsevich awarded Paliakou 5 days of administrative arrest. Continue reading »
Total lawlessness of policemen is unspeakable.
Another egregious case of reasonless cruelty and lawlessness of sadists in uniform were told by the Kirdun family from Minsk, visitors of charter97.org website.
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On 15 October the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) produced a special report “On the conformity with the universal human rights standards of Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code on the rights of non-registered associations of the Republic of Belarus”.
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On 10 November the Vitsebsk Region Court considered the cassation appeal of human rights defender Leanid Svetsik against the verdict of the Chairman of the Chyhunachny District Court of Vitsebsk, Raman Dziahoda, upholding the verdict of the Chyhunachny District Court by which a picket ban issued to Mr. Svetsik by the Vitsebsk Chyhunachny District Executive Committee had been declared lawful. Continue reading »
It turns out that the authorities of Zhodzina and Vitsebsk have different tactical approaches to the prohibition of peaceful assembly of citizens. However, they have one thing in common – the desire to forbid what they are obliged to guarantee to their citizens in accordance with constitutional and international legal norms. Continue reading »
Zhodzina court admitted its mistakes. That’s how you can explain the accepted comments on trial protocol made by the applicants Aliaksiey Lapitsky and Sviatlana Lapitskaya on the basis of the process recordings after getting acquainted with the protocol of October 25, 2011.
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In Homiel temporary detention facility the chairman of the steering committee for the People’s Assembly, the head of Homiel region UCP Vasil Paliakou went on hunger strike. Continue reading »
Human right defenders Aliaksiey Lapitsky and Sviatlana Lapitskaya filed a cassational appeal against the decision of the Zhodzina City Court of October 17, which was used by the judge Tatsiana Tratsyuk in rejecting complaint about unlawful actions (inaction) of the executive committee’s officials to prohibit peaceful picketing in support of the well-known Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatsky arrested in Miensk. Continue reading »
November 4, 2011 in Minsk was the third session of the court case of Viasna head and Vice President of FIDH Ales Bialiatski. Reviews of previous meetings can be found here (the first day) and here (the second day) over the course of the process, you can also follow the International Observation Mission in Belarus here on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IOMission.
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On November 3, 2011 in Minsk the trial of Ales Bialiatski, the head of the human rights center Viasna and vice-president of the International Federation of Human Rights continued. The International observation mission of the Committee on international control over the situation with Human Rights in Belarus followed the progress of the trial. A survey of the first day can be found here. Today’s hearing was largely devoted to the examination of witnesses.
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International observation mission: a brief review of the first day of Ales Bialiatsky’s case hearing
Today, on November 2, 2011 in Minsk trial over Ales Bialiatsky, the head of the human rights center “Viasna” and vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) began.
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Every-Wednesday actions of silent protest, which set Belarus on fire this summer and during which about 2 thousand people were arrested, fell into oblivion. However, those events continue to echo now.
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On 3 November civil activist Ryhor Hryk filed with the Baranavichy City Court an appeal against the picket ban issued by the Baranavichy City Executive Committee. The activist intended to hold a picket against the rapid growth of prices and the pauperization of the population on 5 October. As it was stated in the CEC refusal, the slogans that were stated in the picket application didn’t correspond to the aims and notions, adopted in Article 2 of the Law “On Mass Events”.
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Today, on November 2, Mahiliou activists of the campaign “Havary Praudu!” reminded the citizens about human rights defenders Ales Bialiatsky, who was prosecuted by the authorities for political reasons. (further-orthography of the primary source)
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Viktar Chaikouski, Deputy Chairman of the national public association “Perspective”, applied to the Brest City Executive Committee for the authorization of a series of pickets aimed at turning public attention to the use of articles of the Criminal Code by the authorities with the aim to neutralize civil and public activists. The actions were to be held in different parts of the city under the slogans “Freedom to political prisoners! Stop torture and harassment!”
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At the end of June 2011 Ales Bialiatski was summonsed to the tax inspection and presented copies of the bank documents concerning the foreign accounts that were registered on his name.
On 4 August he was detained for 10 days. The detention took place at about 4.45 p.m. near Peramoha Square in Minsk. After the detention, Ales’s apartment, summer residence and the central office of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” were searched. After the searched the human rights defender was interrogated at the Financial Investigations Department of the State Control Committee.
Belarusians were actually deprived of the free legal information bank, which was previously available to everyone on the Internet. Continue reading »
In many countries the Belarusian Embassies refuse to issue visas to representatives of human rights and international organizations who want to attend the consideration of the criminal case of Ales Bialiatski, Chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”.
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On 31.10.2011 in Zhodzina human rights defenders filed their comments to Zhodzina court about records of the trial, which was held on August 13 and 17 on banning peaceful picketing in support of the arrested well-known human rights activist Ales Bialiatsky. Continue reading »
Indeed, on 10.25.2011, 7 days after the decision of Zhodzina court of 17.10.2011, a private decision of Zhodzina court was “found” in the case file on violation of law by the local executive committee … When was this definition rendered and who announced it? It’s not entirely clear. But the fact of rendering and publication of this decision at the end of the hearing on October 17 has been “fixed” in the presented protocol – (!?). Continue reading »
Open Joint letter regarding the new legislative amendments limiting freedom of assembly and association and imposing new restrictions on civil society groups in Belarus.
The tax inspection of Minsk Partyzanski District has fined human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich BYR 4,727,330 for alleged understating of his income. The fine can be appealed in court within 10 days.
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Orsha prosecuting authorities have evaded providing legal assessment to a human rights picket banned by local executive officials; they suggested addressing the court, instead.
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October 17, 2011
The Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs
Republican Human Rights Public Association “Belarusian Helsinki Committee”
Human Rights Center “Viasna”
Legal Transformation Center
The present research focuses on analysis of amendments initiated to be introduced into a range of laws of the Republic of Belarus in autumn of 2011. Continue reading »
Homel activists Vasil Paliakou and Leanid Sudalenka have lodged a complaint with chief of Homel Tsentralny District Police Department, appealing their arbitrary detention on the day so called “People’s Assembly” was held, 8 October, www.gomelspring.org reports. Continue reading »
We, writers, members of the Russian PEN Center, have repeatedly expressed our concern about violations of human rights in Belarus and have repeatedly protested against the persecution of our colleagues, writers and journalists Uladzimir Niakliayeu, Paval Seviaryniets, Aliaxandr Fiaduta, Zmitser Bandarenka, Iryna Khalip and others … Continue reading »
The session of Salihorsk town organization of the public association “Association of Belarusian language n.a. Frantsishak Skaryna” was held last week in the miner’s capital. During the meeting a new governing body of the organization was elected, the main development directions were chosen and two representatives were delegated to the meeting of ABL in Minsk. Continue reading »
On 14.10.2011 from 14:30 to 16:45 the second trial on the appeal of human rights defenders Aliaksiey Lapitsky and Sviatlana Lapitskaya was held in Zhodzina court. The appeal was filed on lawless actions (inaction) of the officials from Zhodzina executive committee who made obstacles and prohibition of peaceful mass action planned on 8.22.2011 in support of a prominent human rights defender Ales Bialiatsky. Continue reading »
Homiel Regional Prosecutor’s Office investigator for the Central District Siarhey Kuzmiankou denied human rights activist Anatol Paplavny to initiate a criminal proceeding against the judge of the Central District Court of Gomel Alena Tsalkova. Junior counselor of justice considered that the judge who refused to give explanations, had no intention of imposition of unjust judicial act knowingly. Continue reading »
The Maskouski District Court of Minsk finished the proceedings concerning the last figurant of the 19 December case, Sviataslau Barananovich. Judge Alena Rudnitskaya found him guilty of participation in the “mass riot” and sentenced him to three years of personal restraint with direction to a penitentiary institution, though the accusation article doesn’t provide such penalty.
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On 16 October the Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak planned to hold a one-man procession on Kasmanauty Strip in Brest in order to draw the public attention to violalion of the right to freedom of the vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights, chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski.
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The official journal of the European Union published names of 16 Belarusian officials banned from entering the EU.
Human rights activists from Amnesty International on the World Day against the death penalty, require abolition of the death penalty in Belarus. Belarus is the only country in Europe and at the former Soviet Union area, where people are still punished by death. (further – orthography of the primary source) Continue reading »
The only European country – Belarus – annually executes several death sentences. The state continues to take revenge on the criminals, not guided by the principles of just punishment and rehabilitation, but it then becomes the murderer of its citizens. Continue reading »
On 07.10.2011 from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. in Zhodzina city court a preliminary hearing presided over by Judge Tatsiana Tratsiuk was held on the appeal of Aliaxey Lapitsky and Sviatlana Lapitskaya about the unlawful actions (inaction) of the executive committee officials, who had violated the rights of Zhodzina citizens to hold a peaceful meeting in the form of picketing in support of imprisoned human rights defender Ales Bialiatsky.
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Leanid Svetsik had to go to the law after the head of the Railway district administration Yury Maskaliou refused him to hold a picket in support of Ales Bialiatsky, scheduled for August 22. Judge Roman Dziahoda considered the arguments of the human rights activist “unreasonable” and did not meet any of the stated requirements. Continue reading »
The working group of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus has adopted two statements concerning the possible dialogue of the authorities with society and the prospects of the EU-Belarus relations within the European Partnership programme.
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The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has admitted the violations made against civil activist Inha Abramava at a detention center in Brest.
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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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On 25 September, the friends and colleagues of Ales Bialiatski staged a festive event in Minsk Nezalezhnastsi Square to congratulate the imprisoned leader of Viasna on his 49th birthday.
“Happy birthday, Ales!
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Congratulations from Executive Office and Working Group of Belarusian NGO Assembly
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Belarusian existing system of registration of public associations and political parties is very complicated and provides official ample opportunities to restrict constitutional right to freedom of association.
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23 September 2011
Minsk
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” expresses its concern over the transfers of political prisoners Andrei Sannikau and Zmitser Dashkevich.
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Mahiliou human rights defender Aliaksei Kolchyn has been interrogated by the local office of the State Control Committee’s financial investigation department. Continue reading »
Kanstantsin Zhukouski, an activist from Homel detained by police in the evening of September 21 for unknown grounds, was taken to hospital in early hours of September 22.
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On 20 September, the International Federation of Human Rights and the Human Rights House Foundation held a side-event on the criminal prosecution of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski.
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The UN Human Rights Committee has registered the complaint submitted by Vitsebsk resident Valer Misnikau against alleged violations of his civil rights by the Belarusian authorities.
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Zhodzina human right defenders try to reinstate constitutional right to peaceful assembly of citizen’s freedom of expression and information in court. Continue reading »
P7_TA-PROV(2011)0392
Belarus: arrest of Ales Bialatski, human rights defender
PE472.677
European Parliament resolution of 15 September 2011 on Belarus: the arrest of human rights defender Ales Bialatski
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Tatsiana Kasynkina, the investigator, who is in charge of Ales Bialiatsky’s case, improved the system of mass formal replies. According to the words of several activists from Vitebsk to the publication “For Human Rights” the “Refusal to satisfy petition” now looks different way. This decree is sent to everyone who requested the release of Ales Bialiatsky under his personal guarantee. Continue reading »
At the 101st session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee adopted a resolution regarding the appeal of Alena Zaleskaya to the committee. In this appeal Alena, the citizen of Belarus, claimed that the Belarusian authorities violated her rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights signed by Belarus.
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On 6 September Mazyr-based human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun received an answer from the Mazyr District Executive Committee to his repeated request to authorize a picket in support of Ales Bialiatski.
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Human Rights Center Viasna
Statement
Minsk, 8 September 2011
If there are political prisoners, a dialogue is impossible. There is a great risk of taking new political hostages by the authorities if the political system is not transformed.
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Vitebsk social and political activists, human rights defenders and journalists have responded to the call of the HRC “Viasna” – “Send a letter of support to Ales Bialiatsky”. Within several days, they wrote about thirty letters on postcards. Postcards were sent to the Minsk detention center number 1, in Valadarsky street. Continue reading »
Belarus – Widespread crackdown on human rights defenders, and break-in at the offices of Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ Continue reading »
On 2 September Viktar Sazonau, human rights defender from Harodnia, was summonsed to the police station in Haradnichanskaya Street. There he was informed that a report for violation of Article 22.9, “unlawful production and distribution of unregistered printed production”, had been drawn up on him.
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Stéphane Hessel, Honorable President of the Committee of members of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), went through many challenges in his life. Being a participant of the French and English anti-Nazi Resistance, he was taken to Buchenwald where he was to have been executed by shooting, but managed to escape.
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Belarusian human rights activists can complain against the actions of Poland and Lithuania on the issue of bank accounts of Ales Bialiatsky. Continue reading »
The arrested head of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna” Ales Bialiatsky tries to use time, which he is forced to spend behind the bars, more productive. Human rights activist reads a lot, studies English language, makes exercise and writes memoirs about the association of young writers “Tuteyshiya”, since he was one of its founders. Continue reading »
Vitebsk politician defends the right to boycott elections by the appeal to UN Human Rights Committee
Not being able to obtain justice in Belarusian courts, Vitebsk residents are forced to seek help from international organizations. Thus, it became known that the UN Human Rights Committee accepted the complaint of one of the oldest members of the BNF Conservative Christian Party, its Vitebsk branch, – Yan Dzerzhavets. Continue reading »
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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