Latest
Human rights defenders and lawyers: cooperation and mutual support
On November 5-7 Vilnius hosted the international conference “Human rights defence by legal assistance. The best practice of European countries. ” Lawyers and human rights defenders from Belarus, Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan discussed issues related to the activities of lawyers in those countries and tried to find possible solutions.
Bialiatski persecuted for speaking out on behalf of others
The trial against Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski on allegations of large scale concealment of income is part of a broader campaign to silence human rights defenders, says the joint statement of Article 19, Index on Censorship and English PEN.
Belarus review on torture at the United Nations
On 11 and 14 November the United Nations Committee against Torture has considered Belarus on the implementation of the Convention against torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment.
The trial of Ales Bialiatski continues in Belarus
A trial of Ales Bialiatski is under way in Belarus. Bialiatski is accused of tax evasion on a large scale. Social activists, politicians and diplomats are attending the process.
Belarus closes borders before the trial (updated)
Representatives from human rights organisations, including Civil Rights Defenders, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights House Foundation and International
Partnership for Human Rights, have been denied visa for travel to Belarus and cannot attend the trial of Ales Bialiatski, leader of the human rights organisation
Viasna. This clearly shows that the trial is politically motivated.
Review of Belarus at Committee
The United Nations Committee against Torture will review the Republic of Belarus on 11 November and 14 November 2011.
Campaign success: Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas stop working for Lukashenko
BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank halt cooperation with Belarus after German Chancellor Angela Merkel tells Index on Censorship and Free Belarus Now that she would intervene to stop Deutsche Bank from selling government bonds to Europe’s last dictatorship. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) decided in August not to sale any of Belarusian government bonds.
Discussion about why “Lukashenka’s regime does not like applause” held in Vilnius
On 21 October Vilnius hosted the film festival “Inconvinient Films”. Within the framework of the festival, the organisers arranged the viewing and discussion of the film “Lukashenka’s regime does not like applause” together with invited political activists from Belarus
Belarus has adopted “anti-revolutionary” amendments to the legislation
On October 12 it was reported that the government introduced, the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic approved a package of amendments to laws on public associations, political parties and to the Penal Code. Some amendments to the law on state security service were introduced as well.