Belarus - Country of Concern: Latest update 30 September 2014
Updated 16 October 2014
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0.1 Latest Update: 30 September 2014
The human rights situation in Belarus changed little between July and September 2014. There is continued systematic suppression of freedom of expression and assembly.
Protesters and dissidents continue to be routinely detained or arrested for even the mildest form of dissent, and then fined or imprisoned for up to 25 days. Requests for permission to hold rallies or protests are routinely denied. The Belarusian Ministry of Justice has threatened to deport the Russian head of a leading NGO, Legal Initiative. Others find it difficult to find venues to hold their events.
In September, Dunja Mijatovic, the Representative on Freedom of the Media from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, visited Belarus. In a statement following her visit, she noted fewer short-term detentions of media representatives, but called on the authorities to end the practice fully. She also said that there is a need for the Belarusian authorities to show more political will to comply with international standards on free expression and free media.
In July, the Belarusian government hosted a workshop, in conjunction with the UN Development Programme and the Council of Europe to look at the possibility of establishing a National Human Rights Institution in Belarus. The UK participated, sending an expert to talk about the UK’s experience in setting up such an institution. The Belarusian government agreed to undertake more research into the idea.
A further workshop with the UN on hate speech was held in September.
Over 1,600 prisoners were released in July and August as part of an amnesty. But a number of political prisoners remain imprisoned.
Although no executions were carried out between July and September, two prisoners remain on death row.
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