23.09.2009 Amnesty International addresses Lukashenka on Viasna's case

Amnesty International has written to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka of Belarus to express its concern that the human rights organization, Nasha Vyasna (Our Spring), formerly known as Vyasna, has been denied registration by the Belarusian authorities for the third time. On 12 August 2009 the Supreme Court of Belarus upheld a decision taken by the Ministry of Justice on 28 May to refuse registration to Nasha Vyasna.

23.09.2009 Belarusian Helsinki Committee to consider dispersals of peaceful rallies with Ministry of Interior

In his interview with the BelaPAN news agency, Aleh Hulak, head of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, said that the NGO had addressed Minister of the Interior Anatol Kuliashou with a proposition to hold a meeting to consider the complicated situation with the systematic violent dispersals of peaceful opposition rallies. ‘The Belarusian Helsinki Committee members believe that the dispersals and the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators by the police are unlawful, abusing their right to the freedom of assembly. We think that a meeting with Mr.Kuliashou will be the most efficient means of addressing the situation in the field of freedom of peaceful assembly’ said Mr.Hulak.

23.09.2009 Labour Party to sue Ministry of Justice

The founders of the Belarusian Labour Party have lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court against the Ministry of Justice, who suspended the party’s registration, says BLP leader Aliaksandr Bukhvostau. By appealing the decision, the party hopes that the Ministry of Justice ‘stops conducting repressive inspections of the party’s registration documents,’ says Mr.Bukhvostau.

23.09.2009 Over 50 politicians, civil and cultural figures sign address to General Prosecutor’s Office

Over 50 Belarusian politicians, civil and cultural figures have signed an address to the General Prosecutor’s Office, demanding to initiate a criminal case, following President Lukashenka’s statement, admitting the 2006 presidential election was rigged. ‘We would like to address every organization concerned with reforming the existing electoral legislation, with a demand to sign the statement. Lukashenka’s declarations in his interview with the Izvestiya newspaper are an open challenge to both Belarusian politicians and ordinary citizens, and the civilized international community. Lack of response would mean accepting the role of silent creatures.’ The statement will be lodged with the Prosecutor’s Office on 24 September, says one of the initiators of the campaign and UCPB leader Anatol Liabedzka.

23.09.2009 Human rights activists call on international community to address ‘political drafts’ issue

A number of Belarusian and foreign human rights activists have issued a statement calling on the international community to address the issue of politically-motivated drafts as a means of harassing Belarusian political and civil activists. The human rights defenders urge international human rights organizations and major politicians ‘to do their best to put an end to the illegal practice and prevent it from turning into a system of pressure and isolation used against the politically active youth of Belarus.’

23.09.2009 Independent journalist warned for cooperation with Belsat again

Aleh Razhkou has received a second official warning from the regional prosecutor’s office “for activities on behalf of Belsat”.

The BelaPAN reminds that the journalist received the first warning in February 2009 with the same wording.

Aleh Razhkou was told in the prosecutor’s office that it is inadmissible to work for foreign mass media without accreditation by the Foreign Ministry. As informed by the journalist, on September 22 he was summoned to the Prosecutor’s office of Homel region. A worker of the prosecutor’s office Alesya Rabtsava told to the journalist that an appeal was lodged against him from the head doctor of the regional mental health clinic.

23.09.2009 US condemn human rights violations in Belarus

The United States are still deeply concerned by violations in Belarus.

It has been stated by the US representative Douglas Griffin at the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

As said by the diplomat, Belarus is among the countries which cause highest concern in connection with crackdown on peaceful protests, threats to activities of human rights activists and oppositionists, oppression of minorities, alongside with Afghanistan, Burma, Cuba, Iran, Russia and Sri Lanka, the website of “European Belarus” informs.