28.10.2010 Belarus: Repressions against youth activists should stop

Paris-Minsk, 26 October, 2010 - FIDH and its member organisation in Belarus, Human rights Center Viasna, express their concern regarding the Belarusian authorities’ groundless and growing repression toward certain political activists, in particular those from anarchist and anti-fascist youth movements.

19.10.2010 Ales Bialiatski: The authorities are deepening political and social crisis of the people of Belarus

Belarus has ignored most of the recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review procedure (UPR), as well as those by the UN Human Rights Council. It can be seen from the Views and responses of the Republic of Belarus on the Conclusions adopted for further consideration by the competent authorities in the UPR on May 15, 2010. The content and the importance of these recommendations to the country’s civil society will be discussed with the chair of the Human Rights Centre "Viasna" Ales Bialiatski.

27.09.2010 Human rights situation in Belarus is unacceptably poor and calls for systemic measures, HR Forum participants say

On 22-25 September, Vilnius hosted a series of events, with a social focus on the human rights situation in Belarus and the activities of human rights activists. On 22-23 September, the Human Rights House Network held its annual meeting, attended by over 60 human rights defenders from 17 countries. The participants of the meeting addressed the Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka with an appeal, calling him to take urgent measures to improve the country’s human rights record.

27.09.2010 Human Rights House Network calls upon Belarus to take urgent measures to meet international human rights standards

On 22-23 September Vilnius hosted the 2010 Human Rights House Network (HRHN) Annual Meeting, a forum of cooperation between established and emerging Human Rights Houses, uniting 70 NGOs in 15 countries. The Meeting was attended by human rights defenders from 17 countries.

20.09.2010 Belarusian authorities oppose implementation of UN recommendations on abolition of Article 193-1

On 23 September the 15th session of the UN Human Rights Council is expected to approve the final text of the Universal Periodic Review. Meanwhile, the Belarusian government has not taken any steps to improve the country’s human rights record.

30.06.2010 Freedom House called regime in Belarus authoritarian

Freedom House’s report listed Belarus among authoritarian states.

The survey studies the human rights situation and democracy in 29 states of Eastern Europe and former Soviet bloc, AFN reports.

27.05.2010 Amnesty International’s Report 2010 condemns human rights abuses in Belarus

The Amnesty International human rights organization released its annual Report ‘Amnesty International Report 2010: State of the World's Human Rights’, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports. The Report stresses that ‘powerful governments are blocking advances in international justice by standing above the law on human rights, shielding allies from criticism and acting only when politically convenient.’

27.05.2010 U.S. Congress to hold hearings on human rights in Belarus

This decision was made after the meeting between American politicians and Movement for Freedom leader Alexander Milinkevich.

According to the movement's press office, Milinkevich met with former United States Ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart who is now Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee Hastings, Congressman Christopher Smith who authored Belarus Democracy Act and other politicians.

05.05.2010 Belarusian internet cafes bound to store users’ browsing history

This requirement is contained in the decree of the government number 647 of 29 April 2010.

07.04.2010 Official Minsk whitewashes itself before UN

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus has passed to the UN Human Rights Committee the National Report on the situation of fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens within the guidelines of the Universal Periodical Review, a procedure that had been established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2006. This is the first time that such a large document is received from Belarus. The report will be heard at the session of the Human Rights Council in May.

18.03.2010 British Foreign Office ranks Belarus among Cuba and Iran

The UK Foreign Office’s report defines Belarus as a country of concern that has problems with human rights.

On March 17, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom released its annual report on human rights analyzing the human rights situation in Belarus as well.

17.03.2010 Viasna concerned over harsh detention conditions in Cuba

The Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ expresses its concern over the death of the famous Cuban prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata after 85 days of hunger-strike, while serving his 36-year term on charges of contempt, public disorder, and disobedience.

01.03.2010 The Implementation of Freedom of Association in 2009

In 2009 the situation in the sphere of freedom of association in Belarus failed to undergo significant changes, the main problems in the formation and activities of public associations remaining unaltered. The practice of denying registration to public associations and political parties on dubious grounds including the socio-political stand of the associations’ founders was continued. A ban on the activities of unregistered public associations, foundations, political parties and religious organizations was kept in force resulting in criminal penalties for such activities (Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code, ‘Illegal organization of a public association, religious organization or foundation or participation in their activities’ .

12.02.2010 Materials from Belarusian NPOs prepared for the Universal Periodic Review of Belarus in the U.N. Committee on Human Rights. October 2009

This compilation of materials was prepared in August-September 2009 by a group of NGOs for conveyance to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in conjunction with the preparation of the Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of Belarus' fulfillment of its international human rights obligations. These materials contain references to more detailed reports and publications. The following organizations participated in the preparation of these materials: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC), Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), “Viasna” Human Rights Center, Assembly of Democratic Non-Governmental Organizations of Belarus and Congress of Independent Unions (Belarus).