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Belarusian political prisoner accused of plotting terrorist attacks
Mikalai Autukhovich, a businessman and a fierce critic of the Belarusian authorities, is accused of preparation for terrorist acts. Civil society has very little information about the case as the defence lawyer had to sign a statement preventing him to share any particulars about the ongoing investigation. Another political prisoner, Artsiom Dubski, is preparing to get married while in custody.
Ministry of information issued written warnings to four periodicals at a time
On 16 November the editorial offices of Naša Niva and Va-Bank recieved written warnings from the Ministry of Information, and on 17 November Narodnaja Vola and Komsomolskaja Pradva v Biełarusi offices got the same message from the officials. Warnings were issued on the pretext that “publications violated several provisions of the Law on Mass Media.”
Journalists and human rights defenders: difficulties of mutual understanding
Do human rights get sufficient coverage in the Belarusian mass-media? Do human rights defenders know how to make journalists interested in HR work? These and other themes were discussed at the seminar-dialogue “Professional journalism and human rights,” which took place in Vilnius HRH on 13-15 November.
Принимаются заявки на участие в дистанционном обучении адвокатов/юристов
Секретариат международной Сети Домов прав человека и Дом прав человека в Вильнюсе объявляют набор для участия в программе дистанционного обучения адвокатов и юристов международному праву прав человека. Отбор участников производится на конкурсной основе.
UPR of Belarus: reports by NGOs submitted to Geneva
In their submission to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Republic of Belarus, International Comission of Jurists stressed the key importance of this review about to happen in May 2010, given “the persistent failure of Republic of Belarus to meet many of its international human rights obligations”. Key Belarusian human rights NGOs have also presented their vision of situation.
Professional Journalism and Human Rights
How do journalists evaluate the work of human rights defenders? What do human rights defenders say about the work of journalists? Why human rights is a very important aspect of journalism? These questions will be discussed at the joint seminar of human rights defenders, journalists and guest experts.
Death convict’s mother appeals to UN Committee
Belarusian human rights defenders are concerned with the death penalties to Andrei Zhuk and Vasil Yuzepchyk as well as with the Supreme Court decision to turn down appeals in their case. Republic of Belarus is the only country in Europe that practices the capital punishment, thus, violating the most fundamental right – the right to life.
Pro-Svetsik campaign to combat persecution of HR defenders
Participants of the Bring International Standards Home Project which is implemented by the Belarusian HRH and HRH Network, have started a campaign to support Leanid Svetsik. Human rights defenders spread their messages in various Belarusian media sources expressing their solidarity with Svetsik and condemning the Belarusian authorities for persecution of HR defenders in the country.
Election observation project available on the web
The webpage of the „Election Observation: Theory and Practice“ project www.eotp.info has been officially launched.