23.11.2011 Joint Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Štefan Füle on the trial of Human Rights defender Ales Byalyatski

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, and Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, made today the following statement:

“We are seriously concerned about the detention and prosecution of internationally renownedBelarusian human rights defender Ales Byalyatski for alleged tax evasion. "

28.10.2011 Court bans Bialiatski’s meeting with wife

Minsk court has not authorized Ales Bialiatski’s meeting with his wife ahead of the trial he is to stand on 2 November, Radio Racyja reports.

26.10.2011 Polish MEP calls for support of imprisoned opposition politician Bandarenka

Marek Migalski, a Polish member of the European Parliament, has called on the EP and Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, to support opposition politician Dzmitry Bandarenka who is serving a prison term in connection with last December’s post-election protest in Minsk.

19.10.2011 EU delegation urges Belarus not to pass “some repressive draft laws”

The European Union Delegation to Belarus has issued a statement urging the Belarusian authorities not to pass “some repressive draft laws” that “would severely limit the freedoms and rights of Belarusian citizens and represent a step backwards as regards Belarus’ respect for human rights and the rule of law”, the BelaPAN news agency reports.

30.09.2011 EU leaders issue declaration condemning Belarus for its "deteriorating" human rights record

The leaders of the European Union’s member countries issued a declaration condemning Belarus for its "deteriorating" record on human rights and rule of law as a result of the September 29-30 EU Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw after the delegations of five post-Soviet nations participating in the Eastern Partnership – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – had spoken out against including a paragraph to this effect in the summit’s joint declaration.

26.09.2011 Radoslaw Sikorski: Rehabilitation of all political prisoners needed

The European Union will adhere to its principles and insist on full rehabilitation of all Belarusian political prisoners.

22.09.2011 Maira Mora: President assured - release of political prisoners will go on

Renewal of the dialogue between Belarus and the EU is possible only after release and rehabilitation of all political prisoners.

21.09.2011 UN reiterates demands to release Ales Bialiatski

On 20 September, the International Federation of Human Rights and the Human Rights House Foundation held a side-event on the criminal prosecution of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski.

16.09.2011 European Parliament resolution of 15 September 2011 on Belarus: the arrest of human rights defender Ales Bialatski

Belarus: arrest of Ales Bialatski, human rights defender

15.09.2011 European Parliament calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Belorussian human rights defender Ales Bialatski

On 15 September members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which they express deep concern at the deteriorating situation of human rights defenders in Belarus. They strongly condemn the recent arrest of and allegations against Ales Bialiatski, Chair of the Human Rights Cenetr Viasna, and the Belarusian authorities’ failure to respect the fundamental rights of freedom of assembly and expression.

14.09.2011 Estonia urges Belarus to free political prisoners

Estonia expresses concern about human rights violations and the lack of democracy and rule of law in Belarus, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said.

25.08.2011 Actions of solidarity with Belarus in Stockholm and Malmö

Hundreds of people are taking part in them in both Swedish cities.

23.08.2011 Swedish MEP urges to release Ales Bialiatski

MEP Olle Schmidt, representing the Liberal Party of Sweden, has addressed the Belarusian Prosecutor General with an open letter, concerning the recent case detention of Mr Ales Bialiatski.

16.08.2011 France demands to release all prisoners of conscience

France reiterated its demand to release all Belarusian prisoners of conscience, including three former presidential candidates, www.naviny.by reports, quoting an official statement by the French Embassy to Minsk released on 16 August.

08.08.2011 Statement by Spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Arrest of Ales Bialiatski in Belarus

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today: