08.07.2008 ‘Reporters Without Borders’ oppose adoption of new law ‘On mass media’

The international organization Reporters Without Borders has once again expressed its concern related to adoption of the new law On Mass Media in Belarus, which is to be signed into law by Alexander Lukashenka.

08.05.2008 Reporters Without Borders stands for Hazeta Slonimskaya

Reporters Without Borders condemns an eviction order and other efforts by local authorities to harass the weekly Hazeta Slonimskaya, the only independent newspaper in the western region of Hrodna. Its editor, Uladzimir Valadashchuk, appealed to readers for support on 30 April.

18.04.2008 PACE special rapporteur calls on Belarus to respect rights of its citizens

According to Belapan, Andrew McIntosh, media-freedom rapporteur in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), called on the Belarusian government in a statement posted on PACE's website (http://assembly.coe.int) on April 17 to respect the right to freedom of expression.

07.04.2008 Swedish Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights' Open Letter to Lukashenka

Dear Mr. President,

We would like to express our serious concern regarding the trial agaisnt Ms Katsiaryna Salauyova, that is to be held on 8 April in Polatsk.

04.04.2008 Amnesty International: Demonstrators beaten during Freedom Day march

Amnesty International condemns the reportedly excessive use of force by Belarusian security forces against demonstrators who had gathered in the capital, Minsk, on 25 March 2008. Up to two thousand people had gathered in a square in the centre of the city to mark the ninetieth anniversary of the short-lived independence of Belarus in 1918, which is now referred to by the political opposition as Freedom Day. The authorities had not sanctioned the demonstration and President Alexander Lukashenka’s government had vowed to prevent any public action to mark the occasion.

01.04.2008 Amnesty International condemns beatings at Freedom Day celebration

The international human rights organization has issued an official note concerning the events of 25 March in Minsk.

01.04.2008 Belarus: Demonstrators beaten during Freedom Day march

Amnesty International Public Statement

28.03.2008 International human rights organizations condemn the arrests and brutal attacks by riot police of peaceful demonstrators in Minsk

Statement: The Human Rights House Foundation, the Rafto Foundation, Norwegian PEN, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and The Norwegian Union of Journalist condemn the arrests and brutal attacks by riot police of peaceful demonstrators in Minsk.

19.02.2008 FIDH and Viasna: Open Letter to Belarusian Authorities on Harassment against Zhaleznichenka

Minsk-Paris, 15 February 2008 – The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Human Rights Center “Viasna” express their deep concern about the Belarusian authorities’ repeated harassment against the youth activist Dmitry Zheleznichenko.

11.02.2008 Amnesty International and Belarusian Helsinki Committee Condemn Executions of Convicts in Belarus

On 5 February 5 the Supreme Court of Belarus announced that Siarhei Marozau, the leader of a Homel-based criminal gang, and his close associates, Valery Harbaty and Ihar Danchanka, had been executed by shooting. The three were sentenced to death by shooting in a months-long trial that came to an end on 1 December 2006. The so-called Marozau Gang, which was said to have terrorized the Homel region between 1990 and 2004, was accused of 16 murders.

09.02.2008 Press Conference of Belarusian Prisoners’ Relatives

Recently a group of relatives of the prisoners who received unfair sentences has held a press conference.

30.01.2008 Lidia Yarmoshyna: Institute of international election observation is a purely political tool

Institute of international election observation is a purely political tool, Lidia Yarmoshyna, chairperson of the Central Election Commission, stated in the interview to Belaruskaya Dumka magazine.

18.01.2008 The release of all political prisoners is one of the key conditions for Belarus to renew its

STATEMENT

by Mr Jacek PROTASIEWICZ, The Chairman - DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH BELARUS

18.01.2008 Human rights and democracy in Belarus off to discouraging start in the new year

Chairman of US Helsinki Commission Congressman Alcee Hastings brings the issue of Belarus to the floor

19.12.2007 UN General Assembly condemned violation of human rights in Belarus

The United Nations General Assembly voted 72-33 with 78 abstentions in favor of resolution condemning violation of human rights in Belarus. The document was approved by a majority vote.