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Belarus: journalist put behind bars for publishing photos of teddy bears that were not there
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.
Bear drop action causes troubles in Belarus
On 4 July Swedish pilots penetrated Belarusian air defence and dropped around 800 toys on Minsk. Anton Surapin (right), a 20-year-old journalist who was the first to publish photos of “teddy bear drop” on his web-site, was detained by the KGB on suspicion of involvement in the organisation of the actions.
Bialiatski: pressure from the authorities and support of the international community
In July the Belarusian political prisoner, HR defender Ales Bialiatski has lost two more court cases. By verdicts of two Minsk Courts, Bialiatski is to pay more than 140 million roubles as a fine, and also the apartment where human rights defenders from “Viasna” worked is to be confiscated. At the same time, world-known personalities and organisations voice their support for Bialiatski.
Three resolutions on Belarus adopted within three days
Within three days, from 5 to 7 July, the UN, OSCE and the European Parliament adopted three resolutions condemning human rights violations in Belarus.
Brutally beaten activist sentenced to a fine
Activist Andrei Mouchan, who was brutally beaten by police, was fined by the court for walking down the street with a white-red-white Belarusian flag.
New UN special rapporteur on human rights in Belarus
The United Nations Human Rights Council decided to establish a new special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Republic of Belarus.
Liudmila Ulyashyna: Violations in the Belarusian Bar lead to systemic violations of human rights
Graduates of the project “Bring International Standards Home. De facto implementation of international obligations of the Republic of Belarus in the field of civil rights and freedoms” developed and published materials on advocacy issues as well as problems with protecting the rights of those criminally and administratively prosecuted in Belarus.
Follow live the Human Rights Council debate on Belarus
The United Nations Human Rights Council began its debate on the human rights situation in Belarus on Wednesday 27 June 2012. Follow live on Wednesday and Thursday.
Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut arrested
On 21 June journalist Andrzej Poczobut (right) was arrested in his apartment in Hrodna. The criminal case under the article “libel against the President of the Republic of Belarus” is initiated against him on the grounds of his several publications on Belarusian news web-sites.