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UK government abolishes seditious libel and criminal defamation
Writers and freedom of speech campaigners expressed relief on Friday that the UK government has finally relented and agreed to abolish the offences of seditious libel and criminal defamation. The Ministry of Justice’s move comes after a long campaign by free speech organisations, their advocates, and opposition politicians.
Сетка ДПЧ выступіла супраць зняволення Арцёма Дубскага
13 ліпеня сябры міжнароднай Сеткі Дамоў правоў чалавека звярнуліся да беларускіх уладаў з заклікам неадкладна вызваліць моладзевага актывіста Арцёма Дубскага.
HRHN calls for release of youth activist in Belarus
On 13 July2009, members of the Human Rights House Network called on the Belarusian authorities to immediately release youth activist Artsiom Dubski from the pre-trial detention, to refuse from the practice of politically motivated reprisals towards the country’s citizens and to completely abolish the penalties to all participants of the ‘Process of 14’ who are serving them now.
HR defender Leanid Svetsik had his last plea. Verdict to be pronounced on 16 July
On 9 July Leanid Svetik, who is accused under Article 130, part 1 of the Criminal Code (fomentation of national and religious enmity), had his last plea at Vitsebsk oblast court. He pleaded innocent and stated that the criminal case was the revenge of the authorities for his human rights activities. Then the judge stated that the verdict will be pronounced on 16 July.
Statement of HFHR on the Issue of So-Called III Pillar of the EU
Statement of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights on the President of Poland’s Neglect to Issue A Statement Validating the Adequacy of the European Court of Justice in the Domain of the So-Called III Pillar of the EU
NUSOJ supports UN report on possible “war crimes” in Somalia
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today strongly backed the report on Republic of Somalia by the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which points to grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law – possibly amounting to war crimes.
HRHN calls for release of youth activists in Azerbaijan
Over 20 members of the Human Rights House Network sent a letter of concern to the Interior Minister of Republic of Azerbaijan, calling for an immediately release of two detained youth activists.
Youth activist Artsiom Dubski is Belarus’s latest political prisoner
On 7 July Belarusian youth activist Artsiom Dubski was convicted to one year in general security prison. The Asipovičy distrct court passed a verdict effectively putting the young man behind bars right away, in a court house. Belarusian human rights defenders yet again are concerned with the fact that Belarusians can get steep jail sentences for taking part in peaceful demonstrations.
Fascism in student dormitories
Human Rights House Sarajevo supported Association Q’s call against discrimination of LGBTIQ persons in B&H. The call is motivated by recent incident that happened in Sarajevo, where a gay person was submitting his request for the accommodation and was rejected because the director of the student dormitory “does not admit gays”.