The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

22.05.2012 Baranavichy authorities block registration of Ukrainian minority NGO

It is two years since Baranavichy activist Mikalai Charnavus started applying for the registration of a local Ukrainian minority NGO “Kobzar”. His latest visit to chairman of Brest regional executive committee Kanstantsin Sumar was not optimistic, as the high official said the NGO could only be registered after 15 mln rubles were donated to the city budget.

22.05.2012 Mahiliou Youth Center still harassed by tax inspection

Mahiliou-based Youth Center is once again target of harassment, as local tax inspection claims the NGO has failed to submit an income declaration.

21.05.2012 Activist cruelly beaten for support of Kavalenka

An activist of “European Belarus” campaign Andrei Mouchan was detained and ferociously beaten by police in Minsk.

15.05.2012 Police questioned Vitsebsk activist Alena Semenchukova

Activist of the "European Belarus" Alena Semenchukova was questioned about hanging out a white-red-white flag on the roof of the building of the medical university.

04.05.2012 Assembly of NGOs refused from holding its congress

The organizing committee of the Congress of the Belarusian Assembly of NGOs had to cancel the even as it didn't manage to reach an agreement with the International Educational Center (IBB), which refused to lend premises for the 7th congress of the Assembly on 5-6 May.

27.04.2012 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay: New restrictions on NGOs are undermining human rights

GENEVA (25 April 2012) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Wednesday expressed deep concern about current or recent moves in a number of countries to curtail the freedom of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society actors to operate independently and effectively. Pillay noted that freedom of association is under increasing pressure in many countries across the world. “Freedom of association is the lifeblood of NGOs,” she said. “Systemic legal or administrative attempts to curtail their activities can be very damaging.”

25.04.2012 Policemen defile white-red-white flags seized during search at European Belarus activist’s flat

Aliaksandr Vialitchanka, activist of the European Belarus opposition movement, has finally managed to return the leaflets, banners and national flags seized by the police during a search at his apartment back on 15 February 2012. The things were returned as a result of a complaint lodged with Minsk Savetski District Police Department.

05.04.2012 Last trial concerning concert in “Yo-mayo” to take place on 9 April

Ihar Trukhanovich, detained and severely beaten on 24 March, during a Saturday concert at “Yo-mayo” club, will be tried for “disorderly conduct” as some other detainees.

23.03.2012 Young opposition activist jailed after being caught pasting up leaflet on Freedom Day demonstration

Young opposition activist Mikita Kavalenka, a member of European Belarus, was sentenced Thursday to six days in jail after being caught pasting up a leaflet on a sanctioned opposition demonstration to be held in Minsk on March 25.

22.03.2012 European Belarus activist to be tried for disorderly conduct

On 21 March Minsk police detained activist of the European Belarus opposition movement Mikita Kavalenka, as he was going to take a train to Kalinkavichy.

16.03.2012 Ministry of Education: warnings to students “contribute to the exercise of right to education”

Aliaksandr Saldatsenka, activist of the European Belarus opposition movement expelled from Minsk State Linguistic University for involvement in rallies of solidarity with political prisoners, has received replies from the Ministry of Education and Minsk Partyzanski District Prosecutor’s Office concerning a warning issued by the University rector Mrs. Natallia Baranava.

09.03.2012 Detention of "European Belarus" activist

Alena Lazarchuk, an activist of the civil movement "European Belarus", was detained at the metro station "Spartyunaya" in the morning of 8 March, while posting portraits of political prisoner Andrei Sannikau who celebrated his 58th birthday that day. She was guarded to the Frunzenski District Police Bureau and charged with violation of Article 21.14 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (violation of urban maintenance rules).

22.02.2012 Assembly of Belarusian Pro-Democratic NGOs marks 15 years of activity

On 22 February, the Assembly of Belarusian Pro-Democratic NGOs marks its 15th anniversary, being the largest association of Belarus’ non-governmental organizations, with over 300 member-organizations across the country.

16.02.2012 Riot police raid office of European Belarus

Riot police raided the Minsk office of an opposition group called European Belarus on Wednesday evening, claiming that they had been tipped off about drugs in the apartment.