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It is time for States to act on Azerbaijan at the UN Human Rights Council, to stop the continued pressure on civil society and waves of attacks and arrests against human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, young activists, and anyone critical of the government.

(Updated 8 March) Marina Poghosyan works against corruption in Armenia. She now faces charges of extortion. Human rights organisations have linked the trial to the work of the human rights defender’s organisation in uncovering illegal activities involving officials in the country.

Mehman Huseynov was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after he complained of having been tortured by police. Human Rights House Foundation calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Protests against the President’s Decree No. 3 “On the prevention of social encumbrance” were held on Sunday, 26 February in four major cities of Belarus. Now participants of the “Marches of Non-Parasites” are massively becoming subjects to the administrative violation protocols.

Акцыі супраць Дэкрэту № 3 аб папярэджанні сацыяльнага ўтрыманства прайшлі ў нядзелю, 26 лютага, у чатырох буйных гарадах Беларусі. Цяпер на ўдзельнікаў “Маршаў недармаедаў” пачалі масава складаць пратаколы аб адміністрацыйных правапарушэннях.

“In Croatia, constitutional values are now questioned in the media and by government officials. Yet 65 percent of people support the rights in the constitution, such as gender equality and women’s rights; we need these people to not stay silent and to stand up to defend these rights.”

“We, as human rights defenders, do not believe that people stand beside sufferance without compassion. People said “never again,” and their will has been a lasting peace.”

The Human Rights Council opens today in Geneva. For Croatia, it carries strong symbolic value: it is the first time that it will attend as a member of the United Nations’ highest body to promote human rights.

This year, Belarusian human rights defenders celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Belarusian Human Rights House, established in exile in Vilnius, Lithuania.