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Civic and political activists face increasing discrimination on political grounds in the run-up to parliamentary elections which are to be held in Belarus on 23 September. Nominees from opposition parties and NGOs are denied the right to be included in the election commissions’ staff.

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections, which are to be held in Belarus on 23 September, the pressure has increased not only on politicians, but also on human rights defenders.

Civil society activists, human rights defenders and people from different countries concerned with the situation in Belarus declared the initiative to establish the International Day of Solidarity with civil society and human rights movement in Belarus on the 4 August – the day when Ales Bialiatski was arrested.

A year ago Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, chairman of the Minsk-based “Viasna” human rights center and the vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), was jailed on politically motivated charges. Belarusian and international NGOs demand to release him immediately and unconditionally, and to drop all charges against him.

Liubou Kavaliova, the mother of Uladzislau Kavaliou, who was executed for involvement in the Minsk metro bombing, continues her struggle with the Belarusian KGB to return her son’s notes that he made during the trial. None of her attempts have been a success so far.

On Monday, August 6, Lithuanian and Belarusian civil society activists are coming to the embassy of Belarus in Lithuania to express the support and solidarity with Ales Bialiatski, head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), who was arrested on August 4, 2011 and later sentenced to four years and six months of imprisonment for his human rights activities.

Imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Siarhei Kavalenka filed a petition for clemency under pressure of colony’s administration on 25 June, but was not released.

Journalist Anton Surapin and real-estate agent Siarhei Basharymau have been arrested and are still kept in custody for their alleged involvement in the case of the “teddy bear drop”. At least two more people were interrogated by KGB officers. Amnesty International calls for the release of Surapin. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has not recognized the fact of violation of Belarusian border by the Swedish aircraft which dropped teddy bears on the territory of the country.

A young Belarusian journalist has been arrested and detained – for publishing photographs of teddy bears. The bears were dropped over Belarus on 4 July by a Swedish advertising agency designed to promote free expression. The Belarusian government denies the flight.