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Testimony :: Stephen Nix
Testimony :: Stephen Nix Regional Program Director, Eurasia - International Republican Institute Mr. Chairman, I wish to thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Commission today. We are on the eve of a presidential election in Belarus which holds vital importance for the people of Belarus. The government of the Republic of Belarus has the inherit mandate to hold elections which will ultimately voice the will of its people. Sadly, the government of Belarus has a track record of denying this responsibility to its people, its constitution, and the international community. Today, the citizens of Belarus are facing a nominal election in which their inherit right to choose their future will not be granted. The future of democracy in Belarus is of strategic importance; not only to its people, but to the success of the longevity of democracy in all the former Soviet republics. As we have witnessed in Georgia and Ukraine, it is inevitable that the time will come when the people stand up and demand their rightful place among their fellow citizens of democratic nations. How many more people must be imprisoned or fined or crushed before this time comes in Belarus? Mr. Chairman, the situation in Belarus is dire, but the beacon of hope in Belarus is shining. In the midst of repeated human rights violations and continual repression of freedoms, a coalition of pro-democratic activists has emerged and united to offer a voice for the oppressed. The courage, unselfishness and determination of this coalition are truly admirable. It is vitally important that the United States and Europe remain committed to their support of this democratic coalition; not only in the run up to the election, but post-election as well. -
No. 21 TRONDHEIM STUDIES on EAST EUROPEAN CULTURES
No. 21 TRONDHEIM STUDIES ON EAST EUROPEAN CULTURES & SOCIETIES David R. Marples THE LUKASHENKA PHENOMENON Elections, Propaganda, and the Foundations of Political Authority in Belarus August 2007 David R. Marples is University Professor at the Department of History & Classics, and Director of the Stasiuk Program for the Study of Contemporary Ukraine of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His recent books include Heroes and Villains. Constructing National History in Contemporary Ukraine (2007), Prospects for Democracy in Belarus, co-edited with Joerg Forbrig and Pavol Demes (2006), The Collapse of the Soviet Union, 1985-1991(2004), and Motherland: Russia in the 20th Century (2002). © 2007 David R Marples and the Program on East European Cultures and Societies, a program of the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. ISSN 1501-6684 ISBN 978-82-995792-1-6 Trondheim Studies on East European Cultures and Societies Editors: György Péteri and Sabrina P. Ramet Editorial Board: Trond Berge, Tanja Ellingsen, Knut Andreas Grimstad, Arne Halvorsen We encourage submissions to the Trondheim Studies on East European Cultures and Societies. Inclusion in the series will be based on anonymous review. Manuscripts are expected to be in English (exception is made for Norwegian Master’s and PhD theses) and not to exceed 150 double spaced pages in length. Postal address for submissions: Editor, Trondheim Studies on East European Cultures and Societies, Department of History, NTNU, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway. For more information on PEECS and TSEECS, visit our web-site at http://www.hf.ntnu.no/peecs/home/ The photo on the cover is a copy of an item included in the photo chronicle of the demonstration of 21 July 2004 and made accessible by the Charter ’97 at http://www.charter97.org/index.phtml?sid=4&did=july21&lang=3 TRONDHEIM STUDIES ON EAST EUROPEAN CULTURES & SOCIETIES No. -
General Assembly Distr
UNITED A NATIONS General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/4/16 15 January 2007 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Fourth session Item 2 of the provisional agenda IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 60/251 OF 15 MARCH 2006 ENTITLED “HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL” Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Adrian Severin GE.07-10197 (E) 190107 A/HRC/4/16 page 2 Summary The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus was established by Commission on Human Rights resolution 2004/14 and extended by resolution 2005/13. In its decision 1/102 of 30 June 2006 the Human Rights Council requested the special procedures to continue with the implementation of their mandates. Among other things the Commission requested the Special Rapporteur to establish direct contacts with the Government and with the people of Belarus, with a view to examining the situation of human rights in Belarus. The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Belarus, in 2006 as in 2004 and 2005, has not responded favourably to his request to visit the country and has in general not cooperated with him in the fulfilment of his mandate. Therefore, the report is based on the Special Rapporteur’s mission to the Russian Federation in early 2006 as well as discussions and consultations held in Geneva, Strasbourg and Brussels with representatives of permanent missions and non-governmental organizations, the United Nations and specialized agencies, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Council of Europe. It is also based on media reports and various documentary sources. -
Review-Chronicle of Human Violations in Belarus in 2009
The Human Rights Center Viasna Review-Chronicle of Human Violations in Belarus in 2009 Minsk 2010 Contents A year of disappointed hopes ................................................................7 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in January 2009....................................................................9 Freedom to peaceful assemblies .................................................................................10 Activities of security services .....................................................................................11 Freedom of association ...............................................................................................12 Freedom of information ..............................................................................................13 Harassment of civil and political activists ..................................................................14 Politically motivated criminal cases ...........................................................................14 Freedom of conscience ...............................................................................................15 Prisoners’ rights ..........................................................................................................16 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in February 2009................................................................17 Politically motivated criminal cases ...........................................................................19 Harassment of -
Protests in Belarus (1994-2011) .Pdf
Number of Participants Number of Day Month Year Location (numeric) Arrests Topic Organizing Group Sources UPI "Belarus against Marks Russification of National Front of Independence 27 7 1994 Minsk 6500 0 Belarus Belarus Day" "the state's decision to discontinue eight [opposition] UPI "Belarussians 4 1 1995 Minsk 300 0 newspapers" protest press ban" " lower taxes, increase wages, create new jobs and enlarge AP "Thousands spending for health Rally In Minsk care, education Against Low Pay, 26 1 1995 Minsk 40000 0 and science." Unions Price Hikes" "introduction of teaching in the BBC World "Police Belarussian confiscate grenade language at higher at Belarussian educational Assembly of language 15 2 1995 unk 100 1 establishments," Belarussian Gentry demonstration" PAP News Wire Financing of "BELARUSSIAN construction of ASSOCIATION OF POLES DEMAND Polish language POLES IN POLISH SCHOOL 1 3 1995 Minsk 10 0 school BELARUS IN GRODNO" BBC World " Police arrest student activists Procession of for burning state 24 5 1995 Minsk 70 30 Uknown Political Convicts flag" ITAR-TASS "Minsk workers march on Police arrest presidential student activists residence in payment of back for burning state protest at wage 17 7 1995 Minsk . 0 wages flag arrears" AFP "Security forces arrest Minsk Minsk Metro metro strike 21 8 1995 Minsk 150 1 Metro strike Workers leaders" Number of Participants Number of Day Month Year Location (numeric) Arrests Topic Organizing Group Sources Interfax "Belarusian Popular Front Reconsideration of protests against oil oil agreement with -
General Conclusions and Basic Tendencies 1. System of Human Rights Violations
REVIEW-CHRONICLE OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN BELARUS IN 2003 2 REVIEW-CHRONICLE OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN BELARUS IN 2003 INTRODUCTION: GENERAL CONCLUSIONS AND BASIC TENDENCIES 1. SYSTEM OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS The year 2003 was marked by deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus. While the general human rights situation in the country did not improve, in its certain spheres it significantly changed for the worse. Disrespect for and regular violations of the basic constitutional civic rights became an unavoidable and permanent factor of the Belarusian reality. In 2003 the Belarusian authorities did not even hide their intention to maximally limit the freedom of speech, freedom of association, religious freedom, and human rights in general. These intentions of the ruling regime were declared publicly. It was a conscious and open choice of the state bodies constituting one of the strategic elements of their policy. This political process became most visible in formation and forced intrusion of state ideology upon the citizens. Even leaving aside the question of the ideology contents, the very existence of an ideology, compulsory for all citizens of the country, imposed through propaganda media and educational establishments, and fraught with punitive sanctions for any deviation from it, is a phenomenon, incompatible with the fundamental human right to have a personal opinion. Thus, the state policy of the ruling government aims to create ideological grounds for consistent undermining of civic freedoms in Belarus. The new ideology is introduced despite the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus which puts a direct ban on that. -
SITUATION of HUMAN RIGHTS in BELARUS in 2014
Human Rights Centre “Viasna” SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS in BELARUS in 2014 REVIEW-CHRONICLE Minsk, 2015 SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BELARUS in 2014 REVIEW-CHRONICLE Author and compiler: Tatsiana Reviaka Editor and author of the foreword: Valiantsin Stefanovich The edition was prepared on the basis of reviews of human rights violations in Belarus published every month in 2014. Each of the monthly reviews includes an analysis of the most important events infl uencing the observance of human rights and outlines the most eloquent and characteristic facts of human rights abuses registered over the described period. The review was prepared on the basis of personal appeals of victims of human rights abuses and the facts which were either registered by human rights activists or reported by open informational sources. The book features photos from the archive of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, as well as from publications on the websites of Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty Belarus service, the Nasha Niva newspaper, tv.lrytas.lt, baj.by, gazetaby.com, and taken by Franak Viachorka and Siarhei Hudzilin. Human Rights Situation in 2014: Trends and Evaluation The situation of human rights during 2014 remained consistently poor with a tendency to deterioration at the end of the year. Human rights violations were of both systemic and systematic nature: basic civil and political rights were extremely restricted, there were no systemic changes in the fi eld of human rights (at the legislative level and (or) at the level of practices). The only positive development during the year was the early release of Ales Bialiatski, Chairman of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna” and Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights. -
Council Implementing Regulation (EU)
7.11.2012 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 307/7 COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 1017/2012 of 6 November 2012 implementing Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, which replaces Decision 2010/639/CFSP. Decision 2012/642/CFSP also consolidates the lists of persons Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European and entities subject to restrictive measures into a single Union, annex. Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 of (4) The lists of natural or legal persons, entities and bodies 18 May 2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of subject to restrictive measures as set out in Annexes I, IA Belarus ( 1 ), and in particular Article 8a(1) thereof, and IB to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 have been consolidated into a single Annex I. The information Whereas: relating to listed natural or legal persons, entities and bodies should be updated. (1) On 18 May 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect (5) Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 should of Belarus. therefore be amended accordingly, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: (2) On the basis of a review of Council Decision 2010/639/CFSP of 25 October 2010 concerning restrictive measures against Belarus ( 2 ), the Council Article 1 decided that the restrictive measures should be The text set out in Annexes I, IA and IB to Regulation (EC) No extended until 31 October 2013 and that information 765/2006 shall be replaced by the text set out in the Annex to relating to listed persons and entities should be updated. -
Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in 2008
1 Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ Review-Chronicle of human rights violations in Belarus in 2008 Minsk 2009 2 Прага вясны Review-Chronicle of human rights violations in Belarus in 2008 The book was prepared on the basis of the short reviews of the human rights situation in Belarus for each month of 2008. It begins with the gener- al analysis of the civil and political situation in the country for the reporting time. The book describes important events and the reaction of the internation- al community to them. Then there are presented some concrete facts of hu- man rights violations by which one can trace back a certain history of struggle of representatives of the Belarusian democratic community for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Among the main violations there are politically motivated criminal and administrative persecution, trampling upon the free- dom of expression, prohibition of peaceful assemblies and denial of the right to association. The book includes photos from the web resources photo.bymedia.net, nn.by, charter97.org, spring96.org. ISBN 15-26496-006-P 3 Contents Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in January 2008 ....................................................................................6 Administrative punishment of participants of peaceful protest actions ......... 8 Politically motivated criminal cases .................................................................. 9 Torture and other kinds of violent and inhuman treatment .......................... 11 Freedom of expression and the right -
New Challenges of Economic and Business Development – 2012 May 10 - 12, 2012, Riga, University of Latvia
New Challenges of Economic and Business Development – 2012 May 10 - 12, 2012, Riga, University of Latvia DEMANDS FOR IMPROVING MANAGEMENT EDUCATION IN BELARUS Doctor of sociology, Professor Valentina Simkhovich Belarus State Economic University Partisan Avenue, 26, Minsk, 220670, Republic of Belarus Phone: +375 172097849 E-mail: [email protected] Keywords: management education, curriculum, managerial competences, socially responsible employee Abstract The article discusses the state of management education in Belarus and ways to improve it. Although a number of Belarusian universities train qualified managers and economists, management education is separated from real life because home graduates have good theoretical knowledge but poor competences in managing an economic entity. The first demand is to avoid the disbalance of the curricula of some majors which don’t include the course of Management that may cause specialists’ poor competences. The other demand is a need to train socially responsible employees. Social responsibility seems their essential quality as it meets the demands of socially responsible business to shorten the time and cost of professional socialization and avoid egocentrism of contemporary student youth resulted from the impact of globalization processes. Improving management education in Belarus needs a number of steps to undertake, among them are working out new educational standards oriented to provide a union of theoretical knowledge and developed managerial competences, and perfecting the curricula of training economists and managers by including some actual courses such as Corporate Social Responsibility as it was done by Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries etc. Introduction In Belarus managers have been trained since the times of the Soviet Union when the Highest Party School enrolled people who had got higher education and work experience to train them as specialists in state governance. -
2009 Human Rights Report: Belarus Page 1 of 36
2009 Human Rights Report: Belarus Page 1 of 36 Home » Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs » Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor » Releases » Human Rights Reports » 2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices » Europe and Eurasia » Belarus 2009 Human Rights Report: Belarus BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR 2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices March 11, 2010 Belarus is a republic with a population of 9.5 million. The country has a directly elected president, who is chief of state, and a bicameral parliament, the National Assembly, consisting of the Chamber of Representatives (lower house) and the Council of the Republic (upper house). A prime minister appointed by the president is the nominal head of government. In practice, however, power is concentrated in the presidency. Since his election in 1994 as president, Alyaksandr Lukashenka has consolidated his power over all institutions and undermined the rule of law through authoritarian means, manipulated elections, and arbitrary decrees. Subsequent presidential elections have not been free or fair, and the September 2008 parliamentary election failed to meet international standards. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, their members continued to commit numerous human rights abuses. The government's human rights record remained very poor as government authorities continued to commit frequent serious abuses. The right of citizens to change their government was severely restricted. The government failed to account for past politically motivated disappearances. Prison conditions remained extremely poor, and reports of abuse of prisoners and detainees continued. Arbitrary arrests, detentions, and imprisonment of citizens for political reasons, criticizing officials, or for participating in demonstrations also continued. -
Afterword... Afterword
AFTERWORD... AFTERWORD... For the public interest Legal Transformation Center is a non-profit organization working for the aim of legal culture improvement, implementation of enlightenment, analyti- Square 2010 cal and research activities in the sphere of law. We are the group of professionals who work together using legal research and educational methods for the realization and effective protection of human through the Eyes rights and freedoms. Main goal of our work is to promote development of ideas of legal protection of Belarusian Human of public interests. Rights Defenders Objectives • To promote the role of law; • To promote development of legal culture; • To promote implementation of international law; • Promotion of generally accepted principles of international law; • To promote development of legal community and legal technologies. Expert directions: • Freedom of Associations; • Freedom of Information. Right to Information; • Access to Justice. Right to Fair Trial. Right to Legal Aid. Main activities: • Оrganization and conductoin of seminars, conferences, round tables and other types of enlightenment activities; through the Eyes of Belarusian Human Rights Defenders • Research on the question of market conditions and public opinion surveys; • Conduction of educational, research and analytical work in the sphere of law, distribution of gained results; • Scientific research and innovations in the sphere of public and humanitar- ian sciences; • Publishing activities. Square 2010 www.lawtrend.org Legal Transformation Center AFTERWORD… Square 2010 through the Eyes of Belarusian Human Rights Defenders Minsk “MonLitera” 2012 The Legal Transformation Center is grateful for active and sincere help to everyone who contributed to this work: for assistance in collecting information and processing transcripts and for other helpful support.