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UN Human Rights Council adopts critical resolution on Belarus and extends mandate of Special Rapporteur Video

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UN Human Rights Council adopts critical resolution on Belarus and extends mandate of Special Rapporteur (video)

The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted today at its 35th session to approve the resolution of the situation of human rights in Belarus.

KGB closes rioting case, ‘armed group’ charges in place

Minsk, 16 June. The Investigative Committee of Belarus has taken over the criminal case of alleged creation of an illegal armed group, which was initially opened by the State Security Committee (KGB), BelaPAN said quoting the Investigative Committee spokesperson.

UN expert urges continued scrutiny as Belarus enters new cycle of repression

The United Nations Special Rapporteur Miklós Haraszti yesterday described the severe crackdown on peaceful protesters in February-March of this year as revealing the cyclical nature of oppression of human rights in Belarus. He also warned that the trials underway potentially lead to a new set of political prisoners.

Russia: Mass arrests tighten authorities’ stranglehold on freedom of expression

A crackdown on peaceful protests across Russia in which hundreds of people were arrested and numerous others beaten by police demonstrates the authorities’ utter contempt for fundamental human rights, Amnesty International said today.

UN Member and Observer States should call on Bahraini authorities to free human rights defender Nabeel Rajab

We, the undersigned, express our deep concern over the continued detention of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, on the first anniversary of his arrest. We urge you to call for his immediate release and for all charges against him to be dropped.

FIDH: UN must demonstrate its capacity to react

Facing criticism once again, the Human Rights Council must demonstrate its relevance at its June session which opened yesterday. Belarus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, among others... FIDH and its members voice their priorities for this 35th session.

Teaching repression a lesson: support Belarusian students to get back into university

Being active in politics or civil society as a student is not self-evident in Belarus. The country has a long and sad history of expelling students from university for their activities in civil society or politics.

KGB drops charges against all Young Front activists (updated)

All six of the Young Front activists earlier charged with preparing riots during March 25 protest in Minsk (part 3 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code) have been notified by the State Security Committee (KGB) that the charges had been dropped due to lack of evidence.

UN High Commissioner slams Belarus over refusal to cooperate with human rights mechanisms

Governments around the world should not refuse to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms, High Commissioner for human rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein said at the opening of the 35th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

HRDs call for immediate release of all persons arrested in ‘rioting and armed group case’ after reports of torture in KGB prison

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights organizations

PACE Rapporteur advises against resumption of Belarus's special guest status

The Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly has published a draft resolution on Belarus, which will be put on a vote on June 27 at the PACE summer session in Strasbourg.