News on the topic: human rights
31.10.2017 Alexievich, Bialiatski sign Prague Appeal for Democratic Renewal
Dozens of intellectuals, civil society activists and politicians from different countries have joined the Coalition for Democratic Renewal (CDR), an initiative launched to “go on the offensive against the authoritarian opponents of democracy, and to demonstrate solidarity with the brave people who are fighting for freedoms in undemocratic systems around the world.”
27.10.2017 Miklós Haraszti: Belarus human rights record “devastating” as president tightens grip on power
Belarus has a “devastating” record on human rights which has worsened over two decades as the president has consolidated his grip on absolute power, a UN human rights expert has told the General Assembly in New York.
24.10.2017 Secretary-General's Message for 2017 UN Day
"When we achieve human rights and human dignity for all people – they will build a peaceful, sustainable and just world," António Guterres, UN Secretary-General said in a video message marking the annual United Nations Day.
17.10.2017 Belarus in EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World in 2016
On Monday 16 October 2017 the Council adopted the EU Annual Report on Human Rights And Democracy in the World in 2016.
03.10.2017 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: September 2017
On 12 and 25 September, the Ministry of Justice recertified (including in several instances outside schedule) a number of defense lawyers. The country’s human rights community regarded the move as a blatant interference of government bodies in the activities of the Bar.
12.09.2017 Ales Bialiatski: West tends to downplay repression in Belarus
The Belarusian House Foundation in Warsaw hosted yesterday, September 11, a side event as part of the OSCE ODIHR Human Dimension Implementation Meeting 2017. The event entitled “Human Rights in Belarus – From the Case of Patriots to the Case of Labor Unions” involved several Belarusian human rights defenders and focused on this year’s wave of repression in Belarus, including the ‘White Legion case’ and the criminal charges against trade union leaders.
07.09.2017 Stefanovich: “The emergence of principles for human rights defenders will boost proficiency in the community”
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" has joined the Principles of Human Rights Work in Belarus. According to the organization’s chairman Ales Bialiatski, the decision was taken at a meeting of Viasna’s Council on September 4.
07.09.2017 Principles of Human Rights Work in Belarus
This document presents a set of professional and ethical principles determining the requirements for human rights defenders and their professional activities. It is based on the ethical criteria and traditions of human rights work in Belarus, as well as on the international standards and rules for human rights activities.
04.09.2017 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: August 2017
In August, the authorities continued the policy of repression against civil society activists and the political opposition.
02.08.2017 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: July 2017
The government of Belarus still adheres to the policy of repression against civil society activists and members of the political opposition, which started in the spring of this year, while assumptions of its mitigation are still premature.
10.07.2017 Human Rights Situation in Belarus: June 2017
The closing of a series of criminal cases with clear political motives and the release of all the persons arrested on the eve of March 25, prompt cautious optimism, but do not testify to a change of the government’s policy in the field of protecting human rights as a whole and do not give grounds for claims of less repressive practices as an established trend.
04.07.2017 Miklós Haraszti Visits Minsk upon OSCE Invitation
The Special Rapporteur on Belarus Miklós Haraszti will take place in the 26th annual session of the PA OSCE that is held on July 5 – 9 in Minsk.
23.06.2017 UN Human Rights Council adopts critical resolution on Belarus and extends mandate of Special Rapporteur
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.
15.06.2017 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.
09.06.2017 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.
