Belarus ACTIONS - Defending Human Rights in Belarus

Belarus: Release of Prisoner of Conscience

Sunday, 24 August 2008

Amnesty International Public Statement, 20 August 2008

Amnesty International welcomes the early release of Belarusian prisoner of conscience Alyaksandr Kazulin. The former opposition presidential candidate was pardoned by a presidential decree on 16 August. The organization regards the release of Alyaksandr Kazulin as a sign that the Belarusian government is increasingly susceptible to international pressure.

Update 2: Urgent Action: Emanuel Zeltser - Further Information

Monday, 18 August 2008
Date: 31 July 2008 Further Information on UA 121/08 (EUR 49/006/2008, 07 May 2008) and follow-up (AI Index: EUR 49/007/08 16/06/08) - Torture and other ill-treatment/health concern Emanuel Zeltser's trial began on 30 July. He is being tried on charges of “using forged documents”, “possession and smuggling of illegal drugs” and “commercial espionage.” The trial is being conducted behind closed doors despite requests from his family and representatives of the US State Department to be allowed to attend.
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Open Letter by Human Rights Watch

Friday, 18 July 2008
Human Rights Watch has published an open letter to the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus to protest against the harsh sentencing of youth activist Andrei Kim. He was sentenced to 1.5 years imprisonment. Andrei Kim stays behind bars since 21 January 2008.
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RWB: Tough new media law only needs president’s signature

Tuesday, 08 July 2008

Statement by Reporters Without Borders, 3 July 2008

Reporters Without Borders today voiced fears about a tough new media law in Belarus that is only waiting for President Alexander Lukachenko’s signature to come into force.

The restrictive new law was approved on 28 June by a near unanimous 48 votes to one by the Belarus Council of the Republic (the upper chamber of the National Assembly) after being adopted at the first and second reading in the lower house.