News on the topic: human rights defenders
21.10.2011 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders: Urgent appeal on Valiantsin Stefanovich's case
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus. The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the sentencing of Mr. Valiantsin Stefanovich, Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”.
20.10.2011 Brest HR defender vs. forced fingerprinting
Brest Leninski District Court has dismissed a complaint by local human rights lawyer Raman Kisliak against illegal actions by the Interior Ministry and Brest Leninski District Department of Internal Affairs, as well as a police inspector who reportedly coerced the activist to fingerprinting, Radio Racyja reports.
19.10.2011 Valiantsin Stefanovich fined BYR 4,727,330
The tax inspection of Minsk Partyzanski District has fined human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich BYR 4,727,330 for alleged understating of his income. The fine can be appealed in court within 10 days.
18.10.2011 Homel activists appeal arbitrary detention
Homel activists Vasil Paliakou and Leanid Sudalenka have lodged a complaint with chief of Homel Tsentralny District Police Department, appealing their arbitrary detention on the day so called “People’s Assembly” was held, 8 October, www.gomelspring.org reports.
18.10.2011 Prosecutors “washing hands” of Orsha HR defenders’ case
Orsha prosecuting authorities have evaded providing legal assessment to a human rights picket banned by local executive officials; they suggested addressing the court, instead.
18.10.2011 Stéphane Hessel joins Ales Bialiatski’s Nobel nominating committee
Stéphane Hessel, Honorable President of the Committee of Members of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the last living person involved in editing of the International Declaration of Human Rights, has joined the International organizing committee for the nomination of Ales Bialiatski, leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in protecting human rights.
17.10.2011 HR defender detained for action of solidarity with Bialiatski in Brest
Raman Kisliak told the city dwellers about the arrest of the head of the human rights center "Viasna" through a megaphone.
14.10.2011 On the Threat of Significant Limitations on Human Rights in Legislation
Statement by the leaders of civil society organizations in Belarus
13.10.2011 Ales Bialiatski: “The time threw us a challenge. We accepted it"
This is an interview with Aliaksandr Bialiatski prepared for publication for the 15th anniversary of Human Rights Center "Viasna", which is celebrated this year. In this interview, Bialiatski tells not only about the history of the organization, the purpose of its work and his colleagues, but also about his vision of human rights protection in democratic reforms, which will doubtlessly take place in Belarus in the near future.
12.10.2011 Brest authorities “deny” activist in holding procession in support of Ales Bialiatski
On 16 October the Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak planned to hold a one-man procession on Kasmanauty Strip in Brest in order to draw the public attention to violalion of the right to freedom of the vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights, chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski.
11.10.2011 Will investigator of Bialiatski’s case get disciplinary punishment?
Human rights defender Siarhei Ustsinau appealed against the standard refusal to change the restraint to Ales Bialiatski, issued by Tatsiana Kasynkina, an investigator of the Financial Investigations Department of the State Control Committee. The Minsk City Procuracy stated that the investigator had chosen the right restraint.
11.10.2011 Friends and relatives don't receive letters from Ales Bialiatski any more
Ales Bialiatski's friends and relatives stopped receiving any letters from him. In particular, the last letter received by his wife Natallia is dated 20 September. Some of Ales's friends haven't received to three or more letters already.
10.10.2011 Human rights defenders remind Belarusians about the problem of death penalty (photo report)
On 10 October, the World Day against the Death Penalty, civil activists and volunteers held informational actions in different parts of Belarus. In Minsk, activists of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty” came to Nezalezhnasts Avenue to remind passers-by that the Belarusian state still kills people. People eagerly took the informational booklets that were distributed by the human rights defenders. There are many people who are concerned with this problem. Some of them even started discussions with the activists.
10.10.2011 Burmese dissident Aung San Suu Kyi expresses solidarity with Ales Bialiatski
Aung San Suu Kyi, one of the world famous dissidents, joined the international campaign for the protection of the Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
10.10.2011 Do “black lists” return?
At about 4.30 p.m. on 8 October Belarusian border guards took away the passports of human rights defenders viktar Sazonau (in the photo) and Yan Roman, who were returning home from Bialystok. They were kept in the hall of the customs office for some time, but were returned their passports and let go after they demanded the complaint book.
