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UN member states must take NGO participation seriously
In April, elections will be held to the UN Committee on NGOs, a body mandated to accredit NGOs to the UN. Human Rights House Foundation is among 349 national, regional and international NGOs calling for States to take NGO participation seriously and vote accordingly.
Security crisis in Ukraine must not distract from Russia’s human rights crisis
The human rights crisis perpetrated by the Russian authorities is not limited to Russian territory. The crisis is spilling beyond Russia’s borders.
What’s next for Europe’s young democracies
Watch the full recording of “What’s next for Europe’s young democracies: a civil society perspective”, a virtual event hosted on 8 February 2022.
Letters from Lukashenka’s Prisoners: Yauheni Rubashko
Yauheni Rubashko, known to his friends as “Zhenya”, was detained in Minsk on 29 July 2021. His apartment was searched and he was beaten at the time. He was subsequently transferred to the pre-trial detention centre and charged with “group actions grossly violating public order”. Yauheni is one of three anarchists, together with Aliaksandar Bialou and Artyom Salavey, who are accused of participating in the “extremist formation” Pramen, a well-known anarchist group in Belarus. They are facing up to six years in prison.
Belarusian authorities expand their legislative attacks on human rights defenders and organisations
On 21 December 2021, the Belarusian parliament adopted legislation re-criminalising the conduct of non-registered organisations and punishing by fine or imprisonment of up to 2 years for participation in the activities of non-registsered political parties, other public associations, religious organisations, or funds. This legislation, which amends the Criminal Code, goes into effect today, 21 January 2022 and continues an increasing crackdown by Belarusian authorities on human rights defenders and organisations.
Call for service providers: Human Rights Research
Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) seeks service provider(s) to provide research support to HRHF’s advocacy programme under the direction of the Head of Advocacy. Apply by 12:00 (CET) on 28 February 2022 .
The EU has a key role to play in protecting journalists and rights defenders from SLAPPs
In a new policy paper submitted to the European Commission’s consultation on EU action against SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation), Human Rights House Foundation and other members of CASE (Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe) outline how the EU can protect journalists and rights defenders against the rising cases of SLAPPs in Europe.
Letters from Lukashenka’s Prisoners: Anastasya Mirontsava
Anastasya Mirontsava is a 25-year-old student and artist. She has been behind bars since 16 October 2020, when she was detained for having participated in the protests on the day of the presidential election, 10 August 2020. At her trial on 31 March 2021, she implored the court not to deprive her of her freedom any longer.
Letters from Lukashenka’s Prisoners: Rastsislau Stefanovich
Rastsislau Stefanovich is a 33-year-old designer and architect. He is married to Christina, with whom he has two children Nicole, who is eight, and Mark, who is six. As well as being an artist (see his drawings below), he is also a defender with the Minsk Zubrs American football team. In August 2020, he became a member of the expanded Coordination Council for the Transfer of Power, which was set up on the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to facilitate the democratic transfer of power in Belarus. There are about 5500 members of the expanded Coordination Council.