Latest
Human rights defenders call on government to take urgent restorative measures
Belarusian human rights defenders called to the authorities to take a number of measures that do not require legislative changes, but can significantly contribute to the improvement of human rights protection.
Belarusian human rights defenders announced the new political prisoner in the country
Mikhail Zhamchuzhny was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a maximum security penal colony. It is also prohibited for him to hold positions related to the implementation of organizational and administrative duties. Belarusian human rights defenders recognize the case as groundless and politically motivated.
“Invincible Marynich” – a book about the politician and political prisoner, presented in Vilnius
On 1 December, the Belarusian journalist Aliaksandr Tamkovich has presented his book, dedicated to Mikhail Marinich, Belarusian diplomat and then a political prisoner, at the Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House. Along with the author, the son of the book’s main character Pavel Marynich and the leader of the human rights center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski spoke at the presentation. The diplomats from European countries, friends and colleagues of Mikhail Marinich were also present.
UN Special Rapporteurs were informed about the pressure on journalists and human rights defenders
During the protest action, that was held on 24 November in the center of Minsk, at least 12 were charged with administrative offense of “Violation of the order of organization or conducting of mass events” and the police drew up administrative reports against them.
Updated: UN adopts resolution supporting human rights defenders
HRHN welcomes the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the resolution. This will protect, empower, and support human rights defenders, and address the increasingly threatening climate in which they work.
The new death sentence was passed in Belarus
On 20 November, 2015 Ivan Kulesh from Belarus was sentenced to death penalty. European human rights defenders and politicians responded to such sentence, urging the Belarusian authorities to renounce this form of punishment.
The pressure on human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka continues
The customs has temporarily seized trying to take human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka to court. However, now “the duty of vigilance and pressure” was tranfered to the tax authorities, which in recent years have repeatedly tried to find law violations in the actions of the human rights defender and his family.
Appeal to the Border Committee – attempt to put pressure on the officials?
Belarusian users of social networks began an action in support of human rights defenders, who are regularly being a subject of additional checks while crossing the border. The Chairman of the State Border Committee commented on the appeal, calling it an attempt to put pressure on the officials at the border checkpoints.