24.09.2012 OSCE observers: the election in Belarus cannot be called free and impartial

Competition was limited and many OSCE commitments on citizens' democratic rights to associate, to stand as candidates and to express themselves freely were not respected in the 18-23 September parliamentary elections in Belarus, OSCE observers say in a preliminary report issued on 24 September, BelaPAN says. The organization intends to prepare a full-scale report within two months.

23.08.2012 OSCE/ODIHR opens mission to observe parliamentary elections in Belarus

MINSK, 22 August 2012 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the parliamentary elections to be held in Belarus on 23 September. The mission's deployment follows an invitation from the Belarusian authorities. As a participating State of the OSCE, Belarus has committed itself to invite ODIHR to observe its elections.

21.08.2012 Amnesty International: Men released on bail still face prison

After spending more than a month in detention, Anton Suryapin and Syarhei Basharimau were released on bail on 17 August. They still face a prison sentence of up to seven years on charges in connection to the ‘teddy bear stunt’ by Swedish advertising company calling for freedom of expression in Belarus.

20.08.2012 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders strongly condemns harassment of Ms. Tatsiana Revyaka

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.

06.08.2012 International Solidarity Day with Civil Society and Human Rights Movement of Belarus (photo report)

Actions in support of Ales Bialiatski and all political prisoners in Belarus were held on 4 August in different countries of the world: France, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, Georgia, Armenia, Switzerland, Norway… We propose to your attention a photo report from these actions.

06.08.2012 Der Spiegel: Gernal police trained Belarusian riot police after 19 December 2010

Accusations that German federal police had questionable ties to the despotic regime of Belarusian dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka were summarily dismissed by the head of the force last week. Now, new information has revealed that the rumors were actually true. The last training was conducted from 21 to 25 February 2011.

03.08.2012 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders: BELARUS:

First year of imprisonment for Ales Bialiatski, a sad illustration of the ongoing repression of the Belarusian civil society

03.08.2012 The head of FIDH: Belarusian human rights activists amaze by their persistence

Souhayr Belhassen supported the initiative of the International Day of Solidarity with the civil society in Belarus.

03.08.2012 Still behind bars: The plight of long-term prisoners in Belarus

One year ago on 4 August, prominent human rights defender Ales Bialiatski was arrested in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. He was sentenced to four and a half years for tax evasion charges. Amnesty International considers that he has been sentenced for carrying out his human rights activities and has declared him a prisoner of conscience.

30.07.2012 Reporters Without Borders condemns journalist Vital Ruhayn’s arrest in Minsk

“Vital Ruhayn’s arrest is indicative of the regime’s sensitivities about matters related – closely or otherwise – to the Minsk bombing and national security,” Reporters Without Borders said. “A journalist should not be arrested for highlighting police violations of security regulations. We call for the withdrawal of the trumped-up charges brought against him.”

27.07.2012 Joint Statement of 15 international MPs on the situation in Belarus

27.07.2012 Polish MEP Marek Migalski, as a participant in Libereco-Partnership for Human Rights’ Prisoner’s Godparenthood Campaign, issued a statement on the situation in Belarus, which was supported by 14 other international members of parliament. Today, they expressed their support for the democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus and called upon Belarusian authorities to cease the persecution of dissidents, human rights defenders and journalists in Belarus and to release and exonerate all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.

25.07.2012 The Observatory: Travel ban imposed on “Viasna” Vice-President Valentin Stefanovich was a "mistake"

Paris-Geneva, July 25, 2012. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), welcomes the official lifting of the travel ban imposed by mistake on the Vice-President of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) “Viasna”, Mr. Valentin Stefanovich.

24.07.2012 Amnesty International urges Belarus to release “teddy bear” free speech activist

A photographer and journalism student faces up to seven years in prison after posting pictures of a stunt involving teddy bears to draw attention to violations of freedom of expression in Belarus, prompting Amnesty International to call for his immediate release.

20.07.2012 Urgent: UN informed about torture of political prisoners

Urgent appeals on torture of Statkevich and Dashkevich have been sent to the United Nations.

Appeals asking to investigate the facts of inhuman treatment of political prisoners Mikalai Statkevich and Zmitser Dashkevich were sent to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

19.07.2012 Committee to Protect Journalists: KGB puts editor in jail over photos of teddy bears

New York, July 18, 2012--Belarusian security agents should immediately release a website editor who has been jailed for publishing photographs of teddy bears, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.