The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

The EU "sanctions will continue as long as the Belarusian regime denies its citizens democracy and abuses their human rights," says Edward McMillan Scott, Vice-President of the European Parliament for Democracy & Human Rights, in his letter to the imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Ales Bialiatski dated 19 April.

"I have been monitoring the situation of Kavalenka for a long time and have taken a number of actions. In particular I addressed an appeal in writing to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus, appealed to the Prosecutor General and to the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. As Siarhei's godfather I will continue to raise awareness of his case on the international arena, just like I have done it before," says Marek Migalski, a substitute to the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Belarus.

On February 28, from 12 a.m. till 1 p.m., at Vilnius Vinco Kudirkos Square, an “unauthorized” action “TOYS PROTEST” will take place. Over 10 toys will participate in the protest.

In a press conference, the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) and Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas (HRDP), condemned a global pattern of repression of human rights defenders.

We, representatives of Belarusian civil society, would like to express our deep gratitude to the citizens of Belarus who acceded to our appeal for solidarity with the imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski through contribution to the money-raising campaign to “repair the damage inflicted by the offence”, as ordered by a court ruling.

None of over 60 pickets in support of imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski expected to be staged by human rights defenders was authorized by Minsk executive authorities.

The chair of FIDH Vice-President Ales Bialiatski was left vacant during the presentation of the 2011 Report by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 27 December.

“Let us hope the year will be quieter for us personally and maybe a decisive one for the whole country. Then life will flow in the necessary direction”, says imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski in a letter sent from Zhodzina prison, wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of his friends and colleagues.

Today's first appeal was the morning solidarity event in front of Embassy of Belarus in Prague, calling for freeing Ales Bialiatski and other Belarusian political prisoners. This was followed by simulated arrests of students at the Charles University and by a flashmob in the centre of Prague. The event taking place on the anniversary of Belarusian presidential election was organized by the NGOs People in Need, NESEHNUTI, Amnesty International CR and Civic Belarus, in cooperation with the Belarusian community in Prague.

On the 14th of December the Chairman of the Board of “Civil Society Institute” NGO and FIDH Secretary General Artak Kirakosyan together with CSI NGO president Arman Danielyan presented the 2011 Report on the Protection of the Human Rights Defenders around the world. In Armenia, as in other countries, during the presentation of the report the seat of the speaker Ales Bialiatski was left vacant as a call for setting him free.