HRHF and Belarusian HRH's written statement on Belarus submitted to the Human Rights Council

Human Rights Council
Nineteenth session
Agenda item 4
Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Written statement* submitted by the Human Rights House Foundation, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in
accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

Continued human rights violations in the Republic of Belarus**

Since the 19 December 2010 presidential elections, authorities have been harshly repressing human rights defenders and their organisations, lawyers, journalists, and any person who raises a critical voice or shows concern about the human rights situation in Belarus, such as students and citizens peacefully assembling. 

On 21 February 2011, the High Commissioner for Human Rights gave the following assessment: “Acts of harassment and  political and administrative pressure against human rights defenders and NGOs also continue, including arrests, interrogation, office raids, confiscation of material, and intimidation designed to prevent contact with international and intergovernmental organizations. […] I have stressed before to the Belarus Government and I shall say it again: states have a duty to protect human rights defenders, journalists and civil society from threats, retaliation or pressure stemming from the legitimate exercise of their work in defence of human rights.”

The human rights situation in the Republic of Belarus has deteriorated since the Human Rights Council adopted the resolution at its 17th session (May-June 2011).

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News of Belarus

HRHF and Belarusian HRH's written statement on Belarus submitted to the Human Rights Council

Human Rights Council
Nineteenth session
Agenda item 4
Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Written statement* submitted by the Human Rights House Foundation, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in
accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

Continued human rights violations in the Republic of Belarus**

Journalist Andrei Myaleshka “invited” to KGB

Andrei Myaleshka, a member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), waits to receive a summons to the KGB.

Journalist from Hrodna Anrei Myaleshka says he was invited on the phone to “talk”. He answered he would come only after receiving a summons.

Andrei Myaleshka writes articles mainly on culture for budzma.org.


http://spring96.org/en/news/50282

EU issues statement on death sentences in Belarus - only country in Europe still applying capital punishment

he EU has issued a statement saying it is “deeply concerned” that two men facing the death sentence in Belarus do not appear to have had a right to judicial appeal. Dzmitry Kanavalaw and Uladzislaw Kavalyow were sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in Belarus on 30 November 2011.

In a statement at the OSCE, the EU said it was deeply worried about reports from independent human rights organisations about possible irregularities relating to the trial of the two men.