January 23, 2020
Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House
The Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House was established in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2006. Today the House unites 7 organisations under its roof.
About
The Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House focuses on four strategic areas: human rights advocacy; protection of human rights defenders and support to victims of repressions; human rights education; and capacity building and empowering human rights defenders and their organisations. Due to the impossibility of operating in Belarus, the House opened in Lithuania.
In 2018, the House contributed to the first review of Belarus by the UN Human Rights Committee in 21 years, being among a coalition submitting a report and responding publicly to the Committee’s findings. The House also spoke out publicly on the death penalty, violations of freedom of speech, and prosecution of journalists and trade union leaders, achieving a wide public response.
Internationally, the House was among the Human Rights Houses to undertake a human rights mission to Crimea, and held actions in support of imprisoned human rights defenders and journalists, including Oleg Sentsov and Mehman Huseynov. The project Bring International Standards Home remains at the core of the House’s education activities.
Contact information
belarus@humanrightshouse.org
+370 5 212 77 03
Latako str. 3,
LT-01125 Vilnius,
Lithuania
Organisations
The Belarusian Association of Journalists
The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan association of media workers, promoting freedom of expression and independent journalism ideas in Belarus.
The main goal of BAJ is to facilitate the exercise of civil, social, cultural, economic and professional rights and the pursuit of legitimate interests of its members, help to develop expertise and get a chance for creative self-fulfilment, as well as to create conditions that enable freedom of the press, including the journalists right to obtain and impart information without any interference..
Contact information
baj.by
(+375 17) 317-56-85
Belarusian Helsinki Committee
The National Human Rights Public Association “Belarusian Helsinki Committee” is one of the oldest human rights defenders organisations in Belarus. Was founded in 1995. National leaders Vasil’ Bykau, Sviatlana Alexievich (Nobel prize in literature 2015), Ryhor Baradulin, Radzim Harecki, Henadz’ Buraukin are among founders.
The organisation focuses on human rights mechanisms and procedures, equality and non-discrimination, human rights-based approach, business and human rights, social and economic rights, police monitoring as a service for citizens.
We create civic context which helps people, business and government realize that building of the country which is comfortable for life is possible only through active participation and collaboration of all institutions and people. We see human rights as a paramount element which contributes to the development of people and economy.
Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC) contributes to development, consolidation and enhancement of the role of civil society in Belarus, takes part in Assembly of non-governmental democratic associations of Belarus, and in work of different forums of the sector. BHC strives for the development of cooperation and partnership with the civil society organisations to promote human rights values. To achieve it BHC: provides human rights experts for educational events; provides assistance for the development of legal methods and methods of implementation of rights of NGO target groups; gives informational support for initiatives advancement.
Contact information
belhelcom.org
+37517 222 48 00
Viasna
Viasna human rights center is a non-governmental human rights organisation, created in 1996 during mass protest actions of the democratic opposition in Belarus. Viasna was initially a group created to help the arrested rally participants and their families. That’s why originally Viasna had the name “Viasna-96”.
On 15 June 1999 the organisation was registered as the Human Rights Center “Viasna”. It is a national NGO with the central office in Minsk and regional organisations in the majority of Belarusian cities. Viasna has about 200 members all over the country. The organisation is managed by the Council and chair of the Council, elected by the General Congress. On 28 October 2003, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus groundlessly cancelled the registration of Viasna for its participation in observation of the presidential election in 2001. On 6 March 2004 the Human Rights Center “Viasna” became a member of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
Contact information
spring96.org
+375 17 394-63-11
Belarusian PEN Centre
Main goals of Belarusian PEN Centre are the following: to defend freedom of expression and professional rights of writers, to expand international cooperation, to participate in the world literary process, to develop Belarusian culture and to cultivate humanistic ideals.
Belarusian PEN Centre was founded in 1989 by the Committee which included 20 Belarusian writers. It was admitted to PEN International in May 1990 at the 55 Congress on Madeira Island. Justice Ministry of the Republic of Belarus registered Belarusian PEN Centre in November 16th 1990 on the grounds of the Statute and the Resolution of the Council of Ministers №274 dd. November 1st 1990 and reregistered in October 31st 1999. As a member of PEN International Belarusian PEN Centre has a status A in the UNESCO and consultative status in the UN.
In 1994 Belarusian PEN Centre found two annual literary awards which are given to prominent writers to reward their work and to celebrate their achievements. These are Ales Adamovich Award and Frantsishak Bahushevich Award.
In 2012 Belarusian PEN Centre became one of the founders of the Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award. From 1996 Belarusian PEN Centre is a member of the Writers in Prison Committee established in 1960 by the Assembly of Delegates of PEN International.
Contact information
pen-centre.by
+375 17 348 76 62
Lev Sapieha Foundation
“Lev Sapieha Foundation” is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit organisation. It is one of the oldest Belarusian public associations, and was established in June 1992. The organisation aims to facilitate the process of establishment and development of democratic reforms in the Republic of Belarus in the sphere of local government, the economy, science and culture.
It also aims to facilitate the development of civil society in Belarus, increase citizen participation and raise awareness of democracy.
Contact information
sapieha.org
+37517 286 32 44
Francišak Skaryna Belarusian Language Society
The objectives of the Francišak Skaryna Belarusian Language Society are the defence of linguistic rights, and the maintenance and development of the Belarusian language and culture. The organisation was established in 1989. It has about 6 thousand members in Belarus and abroad.
The society’s members live in Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, the USA, Canada, Germany, etc. Our organisation numbers some 450 branches and divisions. It is named in honour of Francišak Skaryna (1490 – 1551), the Belarusian printing pioneer. Our logo combines Skaryna’s personal sign with the Belarusian national historical symbols.
Contact information
tbm-mova.by
+375 17 263-85-11
Legal Initiative
Legal Initiative was established in 1996 with the aim of helping to build a rule of law state in Belarus, respect for human rights and enhance the legal culture of citizens.
The organisation focuses on: legal education; protection of victims of human rights violations; improvement of legislation and law enforcement practice; and informing international organisations about the situation of human rights in Belarus.
Contact information
+370 5 212 77 03
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