08.10.2013 Journalists are invited to a press-conference on the World Day against the Death Penalty
The press-conference will be held with the participation of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty” Valiantsin Stefanovich and Andrei Paluda, as well as the relatives of death convicts.
06.10.2013 “The death penalty: a way to the past” (video)
The new video, dedicated to the topic of the death penalty in Belarus, was created as part of the campaign "Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty". Its presentation at youtube is dated to the World Day against the Death Penalty, which is celebrated on 10 October in most countries of the world.
02.10.2013 Human rights defenders declare a week against the death penalty
From 5 to 10 October, the Human Rights Center "Viasna" will hold "A Week Against the Death Penalty" , full of events and information on the painful issues raised by human rights activists in the Belarusian society.
30.09.2013 Joint Press Release by FIDH and Viasna: Ales Bialiatski receives highly symbolic Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
As the Council of Europe just announced the 2013 laureate of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, FIDH and HRC Viasna express their utmost support to its recipient Ales Bialiatski, President of Viasna Human Rights Center and Vice President of FIDH. Prominent human rights defender in Belarus, Ales Bialiatski was sentenced to 4 and a half years of detention in severe regime in August 2011 for his human rights activities.
26.09.2013 Paris Mayor expresses support for Ales Bialiatski
The Mayor of the City of Paris, Mr. Bertrand Delanoe, sent a letter to Ales Bialiatski, written shortly after the Belarusian civil society marked two years since his arrest. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Human Rights Center "Viasna" publish this letter on the occasion of Ales Bialiatski’s birthday.
24.09.2013 Send birthday wishes to Ales Bialiatski!
Ales Bialiatski, the imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" and vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights, will celebrate his 51st birthday on September 25. Since August 4, 2011, the human rights defender has been behind bars, first in the detention center in Minsk, and eventually in the Babruisk-based penal colony No. 2.
16.09.2013 Expert labels Ales Bialiatski’s book as dangerous for State
Ales Bialiatski’s book "Enlightened by Belarusianness" ("Asvechanyia Belaruschunai") “could damage the image of the Republic of Belarus”, say the results of an expert examination ordered by Ashmiany customs department. 40 copies of the book were confiscated from human rights defender Tatsiana Reviaka on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border on July 3 this year.
03.09.2013 Joint statement by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center “Viasna” concerning the forced hospitalization of Ihar Pastnou
The Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center " Viasna" are concerned about the forced hospitalization of Ihar Pastnou.
28.08.2013 Political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich got released from jail
The leader of the "Young Front" Zmitser Dashkevich was released from Hrodna prison today, on 28 August. It happened at half past six in the morning. The prisoner of conscience was met by dozens of people – friends, journalists and his wife – Anastasiya Dashkevich.
21.08.2013 Ales Bialiatski allowed short meeting with family
The imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski was visited today by his wife Natallia Pinchuk and sister Volha in the Babruisk-based penal colony No. 2.
20.08.2013 Statement by the Human Rights Center "Viasna" on the sentencing of Uladzimir Yaromenak
The sentencing of Uladzimir Yaromenak is an obvious factor that indicates a worsening of the human rights situation in the country and highlights the ongoing negative trend of recent months in this area.
16.08.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich. Ryhor Yuzepchuk’s “secrets of investigation”
As it became known, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus rejected the appeal of Ryhor Yuzepchuk, an inmate of Mahiliou prison sentenced to death earlier this year. The verdict handed down on Yuzepchuk by the Mahiliou Regional Court for the murder of his cellmate finally entered into force.
14.08.2013 Open appeal
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" urges the Belarusian State Security Committee (KGB) to disclose information about the grounds for the detention of priest Uladzislau Lazar, as well as the essence of the charge he is facing.
07.08.2013 First food parcel for in 8 months passed to imprisoned head of “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski
Today, on 7 August, the first food parcel for this year has been passed to the political prisoner Ales Bialiatski. Earlier, on 6 May 2013, his wife Natallia Pinchuk paid a visit to the penal colony No.2 where he has been kept since February 2012, to pass him a food parcel. However, the prison officials reported that in March 2013 Ales Bialiatski was denied the right to receive food parcels for another 6 months as a result of the imposed penalties.
07.08.2013 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rigths Defenders: Sentencing of human rights defenders who took part in an action of solidarity with Ales Bialiatski
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), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.
