Ales Bialiatski spoken about in Thailand

Mr. Shiwei Ye, activist of the International Federation for Human Rights’ office in Bangkok, attended a meeting on the situation with human rights in Belarus to tell about the FIDH’s imprisoned vice-president Ales Bialiatski.

The event arranged by the Belarusian Free Theatre dealt with various aspects of human rights, including the death penalty in Thailand. According to Mr. Shiwei Ye, who was wearing a T-shirt with Ales Bialiatski’s photo, the Free Theatre leaders were glad to see a sign of solidarity and, when talking about Belarus’ human rights record, dwelt upon Viasna head, as well.

“For Belarusian troupe, show must go on despite dangers” is the title of an article published by the Thai Bangkok Post newspaper that tells about the activities of the Free Theatre and its harassment by the Belarusian authorities. It also deals with the general situation in Belarus, including human rights issues.

“Alexander Lukashenko has been Belarus's strongman for 18 years. Now in his fourth five-year term after contested election results, he enjoys close ties to and support from Russian President Vladimir Putin,” says the Bangkok Post, enumerating the key issues the country needs to address, according to rights groups such as the Viasna Human Rights Centre, Belarusian Human Rights House, FIDH, Human Rights House Foundation, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International: executions, political prisoners, prosecutions of activists, blacklists, etc.