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February 25, 2022

Belarus: Next steps toward accountability at the Human Rights Council

Watch the full recording of “Belarus: Next steps toward accountability at the Human Rights Council”, a side event hosted ahead of the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council. This event was organised by the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to UN Office at Geneva and Human Rights House Foundation.

February 24, 2022

HRHF condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine and calls for immediate international support to ensure protection of human rights and human rights defenders in Ukraine

HRHF calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities, respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and the strongest possible support for human rights and human rights defenders, in Ukraine by the international community.

February 23, 2022

Statement ahead of 27 February Belarusian Constitutional Referendum

On Sunday, 27 February 2022, Belarusian authorities will hold a national referendum on a new draft constitution. The proposed constitution, the third since Alexander Lukashenka became President in 1994, has drawn widespread criticism for providing the opportunity to tighten Lukashenka’s grip on power.

February 22, 2022

Joint NGO letter urging renewal of OHCHR examination of Belarus at HRC49

In a joint letter, Human Rights House Foundation and 12 international and Belarusian organisations urge Human Rights Council member and observer states to support the renewal of the OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus at its 49th session.

February 22, 2022

8th Anniversary of the occupation of Crimea by Russia

This month, February 2022, marks the 8th anniversary since Russian forces seized government buildings in Crimea and consequently occupied the Crimean peninsula. In the ensuing 8 years, Russian authorities have committed numerous human rights violations against human rights defenders, including journalists, and the broader population on the peninsula. On this 8th anniversary, the undersigned members of the network of Human Rights Houses call on the international community and Ukrainian authorities to address these violations and hold those responsible to account.

February 21, 2022

Letters from Lukashenka’s Prisoners: Volha Harbunova

Volha Harbunova is a Belarusian woman human rights defender, psychologist, and former head of the non-governmental organisation Radislava, which offers support to women who face domestic and gender-based violence. Harbunova was arrested on 9 November 2021 on suspicion of organising all-women marches in 2020.

February 14, 2022

Letters from Lukashenka’s Prisoners: Viktar Pantsaleeu

Viktar Pantsaleeu was detained on 18 August 2020 in the framework of a criminal case relating to “mass riots” that allegedly took place in Brest on 10 August, the same day that Aliaksandr Lukashenka was returned to power in elections that are widely deemed to have been undemocratic.

February 11, 2022

UN member states must take NGO participation seriously

In April, elections will be held to the UN Committee on NGOs, a body mandated to accredit NGOs to the UN. Human Rights House Foundation is among 349 national, regional and international NGOs calling for States to take NGO participation seriously and vote accordingly.

February 10, 2022

Security crisis in Ukraine must not distract from Russia’s human rights crisis

The human rights crisis perpetrated by the Russian authorities is not limited to Russian territory. The crisis is spilling beyond Russia’s borders.