Letter of support from DIHR

To: Ms. NatalІуа Vladimirovna Petkevich First Deputy Head Administration of the President Republic of Belarus

From: The Danish Institute for Human Rights

Dear Ms. Nataliya Vladimirovna!

The occassion of this letter is the good news that reached us from Minsk that the "Nasha Viasna" human rights organization has submitted their application for registration with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus on 26 January 2009. On behalf of the Danish Institute for Human Rigths I would like to state our strong support to this move and express the hope that the relevant Belarus authorities will look favourable into the application and grant this important human rigths organization registration. Such step will allow Nasha Viasna to pursue its commendable work for the protection and promotion of human rights and rule of law in Belarus on legal grounds.

Belarus has the opportunity to bring its pratice in line with its international obligations on freedom of Association. We believe that the granting of registration to Nasha Visna will be viewed favourably internationally and act in support of the European aspirations of the Belarus political establishment, Established in 1987 as a National Human Rights Institution according to the Paris Principles, the Danish Institute for Human Rigths provides advice, reports, monitors and recommends on matters concerning the promotion and protection of human rights in Denmark. It also works to implement human rights internationally via partnerships with State and civil society partners in Africa, Asia, the Middle-East, Central Asia, Europe, and Central America.

Over the years, we have come to know representatives of Nasha Viasna as people of high competence and professionality in protection and promotion of human rigths and rule of law in the region. DIHR stands ready to cooperate with Viasna and any other Belarus organization or official body for the benefit of human rights in Belarus.

Yours Sincerely,

Jonas Christoffersen, Director