01.10.2012 Information about putting Bialiatski in penal cell proved to be untrue
The information that Ales Bialiatski was put in a penal cell, disseminated by the informational and educational institution “Platform”, was not confirmed. The Human Rights Center “Viasna” learned about it after Bialiatski’s counsel had a meeting with him at Babruisk penal colony #2.
25.09.2012 A week of action to congratulate Ales Bialiatski on his birthday
The imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski is likely to mark his birthday in prison – on September 25 he will be 50. The Human Rights Center “Viasna” suggests that everyone concerned join the birthday week actions.
25.09.2012 “Viasna”: Congratulations on the jubilee, dear Ales! We are waiting for you!
On 25 September, the 50th birthday of the head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski its members wish that all our dreams about the liberation of Ales come true as soon as possible!
24.09.2012 Belarusian state refuses cooperation with the UN Human Rights Committee in Bialiatski case as his detention conditions worsen
The Government of Belarus has responded to a complaint to the Human Rights Committee in the case of Ales Bialiatski, filed on his behalf by his wife, Natalia Pinchuk, and signed by Antoine Bernard, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), of which Mr. Bialiatski is vice-president (link http://spring96.org/en/news/53618).
24.09.2012 Election to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus of the Fifth Convocation: Final Report
The “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” campaign comes to conclusion that the election process was marked by serious violations of the principles of democratic and fair elections, as described in the OSCE standards and the Belarusian legislation. The election took place in the atmosphere of political persecution and repression of the opponents of the government; this political environment, as well as the limitations at the stages of creation of election commissions and campaigning had a negative effect on the freedom to make an informed choice. Non-transparency of vote count procedure makes it impossible to state that the election results reflect the will of the Belarusian people.
22.09.2012 Monitoring Report on Election Campaigning
The legal basis for this year’s election campaigning was the amended version of the Electoral Code, which extended campaigning opportunities as compared to the parliamentary elections in 2008; however, the use of the new standards was curtailed by the executive authorities, resulting in a large number of candidates from the opposition parties being unable to transmit their position to the voters.
20.09.2012 Report of Early Voting Observation Results
Early Voting: Day 2 September 19, 2012
19.09.2012 Report of Observation Results: Early Voting
Early Voting: Day 1
17.09.2012 Weekly report of observation results # 8
September 10-16, 2012
10.09.2012 Weekly Report of Observation Results # 7
September 3-9, 2012
General Conclusions - The campaigning is low-profile: candidate debates take place in few districts only, information boards in many districts remain empty; there is no mass distribution of printed campaign materials. - The Central Election Commission ruled to prohibit participation of candidates’ agents in debates in case the agents ran for mandate in other districts. The ruling is contrary to Article 46 of the Election Code, which allows participation of candidates’ agents in debates without any limitations. - TV-presentations of the opposition candidates and their platforms continue to undergo censorship in the state press. Observers register facts of usage of the administrative resource in favor of the pro-governmental candidates. - Election campaigning takes place in the climate of pressure on democratic candidates and civic activists from the state bodies. - The Supreme Court heard the complaints about denial of registration to candidates. One of 17 complaints was satisfied.
07.09.2012 Report on Monitoring Appealing Procedures against Denial of Candidates’ Registration
September 7, 2012
03.09.2012 About Implementation of Candidates’ Right to Campaign on State TV, Radio and Mass Media
As early as in the very beginning of the campaigning stage we have registered facts of censorship of campaign materials of some candidates.
31.08.2012 FIDH and “Viasna” condemn sentence imposed on Zmitser Dashkevich
FIDH and Viasna urge the Belarusian authorities to put an end to any kind of harassment against Mr. Dashkevich and to immediately and unconditionally release him, as well as all political prisoners in Belarus.
27.08.2012 Report on Monitoring Registration of Candidates to the Chamber of Representatives
Registration of candidates for the parliament is the important stage of the election campaign, as it results in the list of the persons who will take part in the election. The essential task of the observers at this stage is to assess the conditions in which candidate registration was held, and to determine if the registration process was transparent and in compliance with the principles of free and democratic elections.
26.08.2012 Ales Bialiatski on agenda in the Élysée Palace
On 24 August, Mrs. Souhayr Belhassen, president of the International Federation for Human Rights, as well as Mr. Sidiki Kaba, FIDH honorary president, and Mr. Antoine Bernard , FIDH executive director, were received at the Élysée Palace by French President Mr. François Hollande.
