16.05.2012 Current situation in Belarus to be discussed at human rights documentary film festival in Bruxelles

FIDH, Viasna and People in Need invite you to the screening of ONE WORLD 2012 documentary “BELORUSSIAN DREAM” by Ekaterina Kibalchich with the presence of Taciana Reviaka from VIASNA and Alexandra KOULAEVA from FIDH to be held in Bruxelles at Rue Caroly 15, 1050 on 21 May as part of the sixth annual One World human rights documentary film festival.

10.05.2012 11 May: Paris supports Ales Bialiatski

On 11 May a gigantic portrait of the vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights Ales Bialiatski with the demand of his immediate release from prison will be hanged out on the façade of the Paris Mayor’s office.

30.03.2012 FIDH and Viasna joint statement on political persecution of Siarhei Kavalenka

On 24 February 2012, the Pervomaisk District Court in Vitebsk sentenced opposition activist Siarhei Kavalenka to two years and one month imprisonment, having found him guilty of evading serving a punishment of supervised release.

19.03.2012 FIDH strongly condemns the execution of two young men after a blatantly unfair trial

"These executions are a further illustration of the total absence of an independent judiciary in Belarus, since the guilt of the two young men has not been clearly established and the trial was not fair. These capital shootings look like a way to silence two disturbing witnesses", said Souhayr Belhassen, President of FIDH.

23.12.2011 FIDH: "Belarus: Human rights situation at its worst a year after elections"

FIDH and its member organisation HRC Viasna strongly condemn the ever intensifying repression of independent voices in Belarus. Political liberties in the country have strongly deteriorated since the presidential elections of 19 December 2010 cultivating a climate of fear.

20.12.2011 Ales Bialiatski’s chair left vacant at 2011 Report on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders presentation in Yerevan

On the 14th of December the Chairman of the Board of “Civil Society Institute” NGO and FIDH Secretary General Artak Kirakosyan together with CSI NGO president Arman Danielyan presented the 2011 Report on the Protection of the Human Rights Defenders around the world. In Armenia, as in other countries, during the presentation of the report the seat of the speaker Ales Bialiatski was left vacant as a call for setting him free.

07.12.2011 Moroccan Organization for Human Rights calls Lukashenka to release Bialiatski

We present to your attention the full text of the letter of Amina Boyanach, OMDH President.

01.12.2011 Argentinian human rights defenders demand freedom for Bialiatski

Delegation of COMITÉ DE ACCIÓN JURÍDICA (CAJ), a member organization of the International Federation for Human Rights, held an action in front of the Embassy of Belarus in Buenos-Aires, Argentina, on 25 November, the day after the announcement of the verdict to Ales Bialiatski.

26.11.2011 Open letter to President Lukashenko by FIDH President

Mr. President,

I am writing to you to call for the immediate and unconditional release of and the dropping of all charges against the FIDH Vice-President Mr. Ales Bialiaski, also President of the Human Rights Center «Viasna», who was sentenced yesterday by the Pervomaiski District Court of Minsk to 4,5 years of strict regime detention and confiscation of his property, including the offices of «Viasna» on charges of « serious tax evasion ».

24.11.2011 Outrage and indignation: FIDH Vice-President, Ales Bialiatski, sentenced to 4 and a half years imprisonment under strict regime

Today, Ales Bialiatski, FIDH Vice-President and President of the Belarusian Human Rights Center “Viasna” (Viasna), was sentenced to 4 and a half years strict regime detention, the payment of a fine, as well as the confiscation of his property, including Viasna’s offices and property registered with members of his family. FIDH calls for his immediate and unconditional release and for all charges against him to be abandoned.

17.11.2011 Artak Kirokasyan: This is a trial of the entire independent civil society sector in Belarus

FIDH Secretary General and Chairman of the Civil Society Institute (Armenia) Artak Kirakosyan, who has been closely following the trial of FIDH Vice-President Ales Bialiatski, has commented on the “new charges” that were brought against the Belarusian human rights defender on 16 November.

02.11.2011 BELARUS: The authorities deny visas to FIDH President and Honorary President to attend Ales Bialiatski's trial

Paris-Geneva, Paris, November 2, 2011 - The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) strongly condemn the refusal by the authorities of Belarus to grant FIDH President, Souhayr Belhassen, and Honorary President, Patrick Baudouin, visas to observe the trial of FIDH Vice-President, Ales Bialiatski, who is held in pre-trial detention since August 4, 2011 on charges of “serious tax evasion”.

05.10.2011 FIDH and Viasna: Inhumane treatment and threats to the lives of Belarusian political prisoners must stop!

Paris-Minsk, 4 October 2011 – International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organisation in Belarus, Human Rights Center “Viasna”, strongly condemn the inhuman treatment of political prisoners in Belarusian prisons. Reliable sources indicate that psychological and physical pressure continues on political prisoners still in detention in Belarus, including death threats, unjustified transfers and appalling health care provision.

26.09.2011 FIDH President Souhayr Belhassen congratulates Ales Bialiatski

On 25 September, Mrs. Souhayr Belhassen, President of the International Federation for Human Rights, congratulated FIDH Vice-President Ales Bialaitski on his 49th birthday on behalf of all FIDH members.

25.09.2011 Statement of the FIDH President, Souhayr Belhassen, on the occasion of Ales Bialiatski birthday

September 25 – the birthday of Ales Bialiatski, the Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the head of the Human Rights center Viasna, a member organization of FIDH in Belarus, who has been held in detention in Minsk since August 4, 2011.