25.05.2010 Syarhei Kavalenka fined 140,000 Br

Judge of Chyhunachny district of VItsebsk Uladzislau Shikarau has fined a democratic activist Syarhei Kavalenka 140,000 Br.

21.05.2010 Assembly of Pro-Dem NGOs condemns campaign of political repressions

The Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus has released an official statement, urging the authorities to put an end to mass harassment of the ‘Havary Praudu’ activists.

21.05.2010 Belarusian conscientious objector Ivan Mikhailau has been acquitted of the charge of “evasion of conscription measures

On 4 May, Ivan Mikhailau’s case was heard for a second time by Minsk Regional Court and he was found to be not guilty.

21.05.2010 Havary Praudu campaign leaders released

The apprehended were met in front of the police department of Leninski district, however they were not released from the remand prison in Akrestsin Street immediately.

Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, the leader of 'Havary Praudu' ('Speak the Truth!') campaign, was taken to the centre of the city and released there. The editor-in-chief of "Tovarishch" newspaper Syarhei Vaznyak and an activist of the United Civil Party Andrei Dzmitryeu were released i Akrestsin Street.

21.05.2010 Ales Bialiatski: ‘We must take every measure possible to stop the escalation of tension and hysteria created by the authorities ahead of the presidential election’

Earlier this year the Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ predicted the intensification of the wave of repressions ahead of the presidential election in Belarus. But then the human rights defenders could not have foreseen whether the authorities would use criminal prosecution or repressions would have a hidden character. In what direction is the situation developing? Ales Bialiatski, head of the HRC ‘Viasna’, vice-president of the International Federation of Human Rights, gives his assessment of the events of the recent weeks.

21.05.2010 KGB interested in Homel member of Young Front

A Homel member of 'Young Front' Antos Nazaranka (2-year student of law faculty of Francysk Skaryna state university) has been summoned for an interrogation in KGB today, on May 20. The press secretary of 'Young Front' Stanislau Stesik has informed ERB about it.

21.05.2010 BAJ Demands Violations of the Freedom of Expression to Be Stopped

20 May the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) made a statement in which it expresses its indignation because of a new wave of repressions against the freedom of expression in Belarus. The wave started 18 May with another police raid at offices and private apartments of civil activists.

20.05.2010 FIDH issues press-release on Belarus

On 20 May the International Federation for Human Rights issued a press-release 'on the occasion of the Universal Periodic Review of Belarus; the issues of death penalty; freedom of speech; freedom of association and assembly as well as the prohibition of torture and the independence of the judiciary went under review during the interactive dialogue held at the Human Rights Council.'

20.05.2010 Young Front Homel activist fined

Anton Nazaranka, Homel activist of the Young Front unregistered youth movement, was fined BYR 600,000 for posting the organization’s posters a month ago, the Young Front’s press-service reports.

20.05.2010 European Parliament calls on Belarus to “stop immediately all repression”

Jerzy Buzek expresses his serious concern about “the recent worsening of the human rights situation in Belarus”.

President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek called on the Belarusian authorities on May 19 to “stop immediately all repression and intimidation of civil society groups and to get back on the way to democratization”.

19.05.2010 More searches at Havary Praudu offices

The police continue searching the offices and private apartments of the ‘Havary Praudu’ activists.

19.05.2010 Niakliayeu in prison

Uladzimir Niakliayeu, leader of the ‘Havary Praudu’ civil campaign, has officially been declared suspect in the case initiated under Par. 1 Art. 250 of the Criminal Code – ‘willful spreading of knowingly false information or application of advertising misleading the consumer about the quality, quantity, composition, method of fabrication or other characteristics of the products (commodities, work, services).’

18.05.2010 Police search offices of political and civil activists

Today, on 18 May the police searched the offices and private apartments of a number of political and civil activists across the country.

18.05.2010 Dozens searches across Belarus

The local offices of the ‘Havary Praudu’ civil campaign are searched by the police and the KGB, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports. The cities under attack include Brest, Homel, Hrodna, Barysau, Mahiliou and Minsk. The search at the campaign’s Minsk office was sanctioned by the city’s Leninski Prosecutor’s Office. The law enforcement agencies seize office equipment and printed materials.

18.05.2010 Council of Europe Secretary General criticizes death penalty sentences in Belarus

Practicing death penalty remains an obstacle in Belarus–Council of Europe relations.

On May 14, the Hrodna region court sentenced two dwellers of Hrodna to death. They were found guilty of the murder of three persons with extreme cruelty and accompanied, robbery with beating which caused grave bodily damage, intentional damage to property, and abduction of a child. The verdict hasn’t taken legal effect and can be appealed against to the Supreme Court within ten days.