Асамблея няўрадавых дэмакратычных арганізацыяў Беларусі
The Assembly Of Pro-Democratic NGOs Of Belarus
Старонка ў Facebook5.8.2011 Statement of the Board of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus
Government attack on human rights organizations – a challenge for the Belarus’ civil society
Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus notes with concern the intensification of offensive on the human rights community of the country from part of the government. Arrest and prosecution of the leader of Viasna human rights center Ales Bialiacki is a demonstrative action, which seeks to intimidate and destroy the Belarusian human rights movement.
Ales Bialacki, Leader of Human Rights Center "Viasna", member of the Board of the Assembly.
Human rights organizations represent one of the most efficient and effective components of the Belarus’ civil society that prides itself on their professionalism and courage.
Belarusian human rights activists in their work have always encountered opposition from the state authorities of Belarus, who do not recognize the universal values of human rights and ignore the world's humanitarian standards.
After the events of December 19 last year, given the rapid deterioration of human rights situation and flagrant violation of basic principles of rule of law by Belarusian authorities, the human rights activists have appeared at the forefront of the struggle for human dignity and democracy in Belarus. Belarusian human rights organizations and human rights activists, acting as individuals, took up the challenge and managed effectively and consistently oppose the machine of authoritarian rule.
It is self-sacrificing and courageous work of the friends and volunteers of the human rights movement that has now become the main obstacle to the establishment in Belarus of police state.
We note with concern that in July-August 2011 the human rights organizations have become targets for complex repressive actions of the Belarusian authorities. Cruel and comprehensive nature of this company wakes extraordinary concern: organizations that are in the flagship of the national human rights movement and that make the most effective core of the domestic civil society came under attack.
In particular, the human rights public association "Belarusian Helsinki Committee" has obtained written warnings and has been repeatedly required to pay huge economic sanctions for the election observation activity that took place a decade ago. This organization, as well as the educational institution "Legal Transformation Center" faced with sanctions for collecting information on human rights and its submission to international bodies, including United Nations bodies. Several human rights activists from organizations that have been denied official registration are being kept under constant threat of criminal prosecution under Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code.
However, particular concern and indignation awake criminal proceedings and detention of the leader of the Belarusian human rights movement, founder and director of the Viasna Human Rights Centre Ales Bialiacki, who is also the vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). These actions of the authorities contradict the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international law obligations and the Constitution of Belarus, they are unacceptable and insulting to the whole country.
The Board of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus
— requires from the state to free Ales Bialiacki and terminate criminal proceedings initiated against him,
— appeals to all structures of civil society in Belarus to show solidarity and support for human rights organizations and human rights activists that are now facing with persecution,
— appeals to the international community and intergovernmental organizations to use all possible political and legal measures to suspend attacks on human rights activists in Belarus.
The Board of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus would like particularly to appeal to the European Union countries that support the development of democracy and civil society in Belarus to refrain from actions that contribute to the repressive authorities of the Belarusian state in their unlawful and politically motivated pressure on the human rights activists.
Please, sign personal guarantee for Ales Bialiacki!
EN: The Assembly Of Pro-Democratic NGOs Of Belarus