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A year ago Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, chairman of the Minsk-based “Viasna” human rights center and the vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), was jailed on politically motivated charges. Belarusian and international NGOs demand to release him immediately and unconditionally, and to drop all charges against him.

Liubou Kavaliova, the mother of Uladzislau Kavaliou, who was executed for involvement in the Minsk metro bombing, continues her struggle with the Belarusian KGB to return her son’s notes that he made during the trial. None of her attempts have been a success so far.

HFHR received an appeal for help from an inhabitant of Łomża living alone in a social housing apartment. He is a physically disabled, wheelchair-bound person. The apartment he presently occupies is on the 8th floor and cannot be directly accessed by means of an elevator. Additionally, the shared toilet in the corridor is not equipped for the needs of disabled persons and does not guarantee ease of use and privacy they require.

Любоў Кавалёва, маці пакаранага за саўдзел у тэрарызме Уладзіслава Кавалёва, дабіваецца ад старшыні КДБ Вадзіма Зайцава пісьмовага адказу на патрабаванне вярнуць ёй запісы сына.

The District Court for Łódź Śródmieście acquitted Krzysztof Kuszej on all counts. The artist from Łódź was charged with recording pornographic content depicting minors as well as propagation and endorsement of paedophile activities in his works which addressed the issue of paedophilia in the Catholic Church.

Death of an intelligence service general in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakshan region triggered violence leaving at least 48 dead, 30 arrested and information blockade imposed. No particular action was taken to protect civilians. The UN, the OSCE and Tajiks from all over the world expressed their concern with the government’s handling of the situation.

This week the UK‘s high court overturned the conviction of Paul Chambers saying that his Tweet in 2010, in which he jokingly threatened to blow up Nottingham’s airport, was not a “menacing communication”. Article 19 intervened in the case arguing that criminalising jokes online is a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

Imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Siarhei Kavalenka filed a petition for clemency under pressure of colony’s administration on 25 June, but was not released.

Актывіст КХП БНФ Сяргей Каваленка напісаў прашэнне аб памілаванні пад ціскам адміністрацыі яшчэ 25 чэрвеня, але дагэтуль знаходзіцца за кратамі.