Human Rights Chronicle: Belarusian Helsinki Committee and Viasna to cover situation of human rights in Belarus together

The human rights situation in Belarus has deteriorated considerably after the presidential election of 2010. Human rights defenders registered a sharp increase in politically motivated repression and many cases of violation and restriction of fundamental rights and freedoms within the three post-election months. The Belarusian authorities demonstrate an open course on the use of brutal and repressive methods of influence on political opponents, dissidents, political parties, civil society and independent media. The number of political prisoners in the country reached a record quantity for the whole 16-year period of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s rule, quantity, and is still growing.

A permanent civilian control and timely informing all interested individuals and institutions, national and international public community and media about the human rights situation in the country are becoming especially important in the present situation in the country. Being guided by such position and aiming to improve the efficiency of their work, the Human Rights Center Viasna and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee unite their forces in collecting, analyzing and distributing human rights information. Since 15 March, results of the cooperation in the informational sphere will be presented under the title Human Rights Chronicle.

The Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Centre Viasna are open to cooperation with all interested non-governmental organizations and initiatives, journalists, and government organizations.

Ales Bialiatski, Human Rights Center Viasna
Aleh Hulak, Belarusian Helsinki Committee