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In October 2022, human rights defender Olena Vinsent, fled increasing danger in occupied Crimea with her mother, their three cats and their dog, driving through Russia to reach safety in Georgia. Today she lives and carries out human rights work in Batumi and is still getting used to feeling safe.

On 22 March 2023, Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) delivered a statement on the human rights situation in Belarus at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. In the statement, HRHF asked what more can be done to assist the more than 1,400 political prisoners behind bars in the country.

Tomorrow, the Leninsky District Court in Minsk is expected to hand down its verdict in the case of Viasna leaders Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovich and Uladzimir Labkovich. On the eve of the verdict, the signatory organisations reiterate their calls to release the human rights defenders and drop all charges against them.

On Saturday 10 December, this year’s Nobel Peace laureates received their awards at a ceremony in Oslo’s town hall. Human Rights House Foundation once again offers its sincerest congratulations to these brave human rights defenders: Center for Civil Liberties (Ukraine), Memorial (Russia) and Viasna’s Ales Bialiatski (Belarus).

What Protection providers, States, and Donors can do: recommendations from HRDs across Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia

Five Belarusian journalists and media institutions have been awarded Fritt Ord’s Free Media Awards for 2021. The awards recognise the courageous and crucial work of independent Belarusian media amidst the on-going unprecedented crackdown.

Azerbaijani anti-corruption video blogger Mehman Huseynov has been released from prison, after serving a two-year sentence for defamation. This followed many years of repression by the authorities aimed at silencing him.

For more than 20 years, Shahla Ismayil has worked to promote gender equality and further women’s empowerment and participation in Azerbaijan. Her life, achievements and inspirations tell a story of women’s rights, as well as a passion for her country and its development.

Since anti-corruption blogger Mehman Huseynov was sentenced for defamation in March 2017, HRHF has been asking, “when will he find justice?”. With his appeals inside the country now exhausted, we see once again that little justice can be found for human rights defenders in Azerbaijan.