News on the topic: human rights defenders
07.03.2012 Hrodna: human rights defender Viktar Sazonau officially warned against holding picket
On 7 March the Hrodna police officially warned Viktar Sazonau about the possible administrative punishment for holding an unauthorized picket.
05.03.2012 Human rights defender Valery Shchukin deprived of pension
Prominent human rights activist Valery Shchukin may get deprived of his pension and means of living due to a denial from the citizenship and migration department of the Frunzenski District Police Department of Minsk.
27.02.2012 Homel human rights defenders appeal freedom of assembly abuse at UN Human Rights Committee
On 27 February, Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka submitted a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee, arguing that their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly were violated by Belarus.
22.02.2012 The Observatory's Press Release: Verdict upheld against “Viasna” Vice-Chairman Valiantsin Stefanovich
Paris-Geneva, February 21, 2012. 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), condemns the rejection of the appeal lodged by the Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) “Viasna”, Mr. Valiantsin Stefanovich, before the Minsk City Court.
21.02.2012 Does Belarusian Code on Administrative Procedures correspond to international legal acts?
Human rights defender Siarhei Ustsinau has addressed the Constitutional Court of Belarus with an appeal demanding to assess the compliance of the Code on Administrative Procedures with the country’s commitments to secure the right to a fair trial.
20.02.2012 Vitsebsk human rights defender demands release of Siarhei Kavalenka
Vitsebsk human rights defender Pavel Levinau has submitted a written appeal with Pershamaiski District Court demanding a milder measure of restraint for the imprisoned opposition activist Siarhei Kavalenka, ahead of the trial he is to stand on 21 February.
17.02.2012 "Criminalization" of Human Rights Defenders Condemned
In a press conference, the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) and Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas (HRDP), condemned a global pattern of repression of human rights defenders.
17.02.2012 Front Line Defenders publishes 2012 annual Report on human rights defenders
This report underlines the crucial role played by human rights defenders in standing up for the rights of others, challenging oppression and speaking out for those who have no voice said Front Line Defenders' Executive Director Mary Lawlor speaking in Dublin today.
16.02.2012 British Law Society joins campaign in support of rights activist Aleh Volchak
The Law Society, a professional body representing more than 150,000 solicitors in England and Wales, has joined a campaign in support of human rights defender Aleh Volchak, BelaPAN said.
14.02.2012 Minsk City Court upholds verdict to Valiantsin Stefanovich
On 13 February the Minsk City Court upheld the verdict issued to the to the deputy-head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Valiantsin Stefanovich by the Partyzanski District Court of Minsk.
13.02.2012 Custom officers seize Andrei Bandarenka’s laptop
Andrei Bandarenka, the head of Platform organization was ordered to get off the train by customs officers when he was returning from Warsaw to Minsk on Sunday.
07.02.2012 Human rights defender Aleh Vouchak appeals arrest
In his appeal against a four-day arrest for alleged using of foul language on 30 January, Aleh Vouchak, leader of the Kyiv-based Legal Assistance to Citizens Foundation, argues that the court ruling by Judge Aliaksandr Yakunchykhin is “illegal and groundless”, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
06.02.2012 “Viasna”: six months without Ales Bialiatski
The Human Rights Center "Spring" has been working without its leader, Ales Bialiatski, for six months already. The human rights activist was detained on 4 August 2011, and sentenced to 4.5 years in maximum security colony with confiscation of property on 24 November.
06.02.2012 Action in Prague: human rights evicted
In the morning of 6 February cars with furniture and slogans: “Human rights got evicted” appeared near the entrance of the Belarusian Embassy in the Czech Republic, marking the start of an action in support of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski and the Human Rights Center “Viasna”.
03.02.2012 Soviet of the Republic: Article 193-1 “protects universally accepted human rights and fundamental freedoms”
The Soviet of the Republic sees no need to initiate the abolishment of Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, which penalizes activities on behalf of organizations that are not registered with the state.
