20.03.2015 Human rights defenders report more opportunities for wheelchair users in Salihorsk
Representatives of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee in Salihorsk report the expansion of barrier-free environment in the city. These findings are part of activities for the preparation of another monitoring on the rights of persons with disabilities in the region.
19.03.2015 Foreign Ministry: “Prisoners’ complaints are carefully considered”
The authors’ statement on the possibility for prisoners in Belarus to challenge the illegal actions of prison staff deserves a full quote, as the mentioned statistics characterize the effectiveness of this procedure.
19.03.2015 Freedom Day pickets banned in Hrodna
Vadzim Saranchukou, Chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front’s Hrodna branch, has received from the local executive committee two bans on holding pickets dedicated to Freedom Day. Both bans were signed by the deputy chairman of the executive committee Zoya Kulesh.
19.03.2015 “Human Rights Defenders Against the Death Penalty” represent Belarus at barcamp in Kutaisi
For three days, the second capital of Georgia – Kutaisi – hosted an event that united guests from various non-governmental organizations of the South Caucasus, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries.
19.03.2015 Baranavichy officials ban rally against intimidation of entrepreneurs
The ban is signed by the deputy chairman of the executive committee Dzmitry Kastsiukevich. The official argues that the application failed to specify whether any vehicles would be used during the picket. In addition, the bid reportedly failed to mention specific measures to ensure public order, health care and clean-up after the event.
19.03.2015 Why are Belarusians cowed by the death penalty?
According to Ales Bialiatski, Aliaksandr Lukashenka is in no hurry to reform the law, primarily because he identifies today’s Belarus with the BSSR and the Soviet Union, where the death penalty was widespread.
19.03.2015 One hundred death penalty free countries within reach after Fiji becomes number 99
A couple of weeks ago, on 13 February, we woke up to the good news that Fiji had joined the ranks of countries to abolish the death penalty for all crimes. There are now 99 countries who have completely scrapped the ultimate cruel and inhuman punishment from their laws – exactly half of all states in the world.
18.03.2015 Crimea: One year on from annexation; critics harassed, attacked and silenced
The de facto authorities in Crimea have failed to investigate a series of abductions and torture of their critics, and resorted to an unrelenting campaign of intimidation to silence dissent, said Amnesty International in a briefing published today on the first anniversary of annexation.
18.03.2015 Independent journalist detained in Minsk
Radio Svaboda's journalist Halina Abakunchyk was detained near the shopping mall that Lukashenka visits today.
18.03.2015 Man sentenced to death in Rechytsa
On March 18, the Rechytsa District Court sentenced Siarhei Ivanou, 21, to death on charges of murdering and raping a 19-year-old girl on 29 August 2013.
18.03.2015 Ongoing harassment of freelance journalists in Hrodna
Ales Dzianisau and Ales Kirkevich, members of the Belarusian Association of Journalists in Hrodna, were summoned to the police station to provide explanations regarding a story aired on the Belsat TV channel. The story told about the opening of an exhibition at the Museum of History of Religion.
18.03.2015 Baranavichy businessman questioned to prevent meeting with President
On March 17, Mikalai Charnavus, the leader of Baranavichy entrepreneurs, was expected to go to Minsk to join a meeting of President Aliaksandr Lukashenka with entrepreneurs. But instead of meeting with the head of state, the civil society activist was forced to appear at the local police department, where police Captain Siarhei Paulenau interviewed him urging the activist to respect the law.
17.03.2015 Court in Mahiliou dismisses suit to close human rights NGO
The Mahiliou Regional Court resumed today the consideration of a lawsuit filed by the Main Department of Justice of the Mahiliou Regional Executive Committee to close down the public association “Mahiliou Human Rights Center” (MHRC). As a result, the court ruled to dismiss the suit by mutual agreement of the parties.
17.03.2015 Investigation in case of human rights defender Mikhail Zhamchyzhny extended until April 19
Mikhail Zhamchyzhny, a co-founder of the human rights organization “Platform Innovation” has been held in the Vitsebsk pre-trial prison. He faces a number of charges. The activist has written several letters to Tatsiana Seviarynets, coordinator of the BCD’s organizing committee. According to her, the investigation has been extended until April 19.
17.03.2015 Salihorsk: Human rights defenders seek abolition of rally restrictions
Salihorsk representatives of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee are preparing a petition to the local Council of Deputies in order to demand the abolition of the mysterious decision by the district executive committee, which banned peaceful assemblies in all the squares and streets of the city.
