Stanislav Markelov, famous Russian lawyer, was assassinated in the center of Moscow on 19 January.

Markelov was member of the Interrepublican Bar and founder of the Institute of the Supremacy of Law. He has provided legal assistance in a number of cases after the violent break-ups of demonstrations in Minsk and worked as an observer in the 2001 presidential election. The lawyer participated in a number of notorious trials of abuses by Russia’s army in Chechnya, crimes against journalists and anti-Fascist activists.

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Tags: assassination, human rights, Markelov, Russia

According to Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, European Parliament has adopted a provisional resolution on the political situation in Belarus.

The resolution mentions a number of positive signs in Belarus’ inner policy:

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Tags: European Parliament, resolution

On 19 December Vitsebsk Kastrychnitski borough court considered the claim lodged by human rights activist Pavel Levinau against the decision to ban a number of public events dedicated to the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Tags: claim, Trial, UN Human Rights Committee, Vitsebsk

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has adopted new procedures for submitting claims by individuals.

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Tags: UN Human Rights Committee

On 25 December unknown persons damaged protective rollets and defiled them with swastikas in a Navapolatsk-based human rights organization. Human rights activist Zmitser Salauyou addressed Navapolatsk town prosecutor’s office with a demand to investigate the attack, naming it an outrage against public order and an attempt to stir up national hatred by an unknown Navapolatsk neo-Nazi organization.

Tags: human rights, national hatred, Navapolatsk

We have received a curious document – letters by Mr.Viniarski to the Constitutional Court and the Parliament of Belarus, dealing with the issue that first emerged during the trial when the accused was not allowed to use legal assistance from a human rights activist, which is an outrage against the constitutional right to defend. Continue reading »

Tags: Constitutional Court, Parliament

A human rights activist Mikalai Kalinin has addressed the Belarusian Minister of Communications with a request to stop unsealing his personal mail.

Kalinin says he did not receive the letter sent by one of his friends. The letter was posted on 7 December 2008, which was confirmed via e-mail.

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Tags: Kalinin, privacy rights

Here’s a monitoring report issued by the Belarusian Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs. The review covers the events in the Belarusian civil society following the release of the critical resolution by the European Parliament in September 2008. We encourage you to freely distribute this information.

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Tags: NGO, report

We have received a number of Christmas and New Year greetings, including a letter from a Homel opposition activist Piatro Kuzniatsou and a human rights expert from Zhodzina Aliaksei Lapitski.

In his New Year congratulation, Piatro Kuzniatsou said that ‘despite the fact 2008 was a leap year, which is said to bring bad luck, there hade been a lot of progress in many initiatives.’ He also wished Belausians a real wave of ‘warmth’.

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Tags: greetings, Kuzniatsou, Lapitski

On 20 December the Legal Initiative Homel office hosted the 60^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Contest award ceremony.

According to head of the office Leanid Sudalenka, the panel members received numerous essays reflecting various aspects of human rights and freedoms, including their protection and promotion. Preference was given to the works that presented authentic viewpoints on the human rights movement.

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Tags: contest, Legal Initiative, Universal Declaration of Human Rights