| Publication |
|---|
| Title | OING Conf (2008) RES1 |
| Author | the Conference of INGOs |
| Description | Resolution of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe on Belarus adopted on 22 January 2008 |
Contents The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe expresses its satisfaction at the organisation and conduct of the Kyiv Regional Congress (25-27 November 2007), and notes in particular the active participation of a considerable number of Belarusian civil society representatives. The Conference endorses the conclusions and recommendations of the Kyiv Regional NGO Congress and in particular the part concerning Belarus. It fully supports the Council of Europe Plan of assistance activities for Belarus and commits itself to actively contribute to its implementation. The Conference of INGOs calls upon civil society representatives from Europe to support human rights defenders in Belarus and to play an active part in raising awareness of European values in civil society in Belarus, taking stock of its rich variety. The Conference expresses its deep concern with the abrupt worsening of human rights situation in Belarus in 2008. In 2 weeks as many as 45 people have been sentenced to 15 days or more in torturous prison conditions, more than 20 others have been arrested and await trial, hundreds of people have been heavily beaten by the police during peaceful rallies, 2 new criminal cases have been initiated against dozens of people including the head of the United Civic Party Mr. Anatol’ Lyabedzka under the threat of prison terms. The authoritarian rule in Belarus has led to the discrimination of the rights of most Belarusians. The interference of the State in private life of at least 1767 “destructive” people as acknowledged by the head of the KGB, cruel suppression of the freedom of speech, assembly and association are facts of everyday life. Thousands of people are repressed every year: arrested, beaten, sacked, expelled from universities, intimidated by KGB agents, have their businesses closed. The Conference of INGOs is particularly concerned with the situation of the political prisoners Aliaksandr Kazulin, Andrey Klimau, Zmicier Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Yury Lyavonau and Aliaksandr Zdvezkau. Although Mikalay Autohovich has been released last week, the Conference is concerned that this is more an exception rather than a rule. We have serious reasons to believe long prison sentences of 8-10 years against many young activists like Anton Kishkurna and Zmicier Liseenka are staged in coordinated manner. The Conference reiterates its appeal to the Belarusian authorities: - To release all political prisoners; - To cease pressure on political parties, non-governmental organisations and persecution of their activists, to annul the Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code that criminalises membership and activities in the name of non-registered NGOs; - To respect the rights of peaceful assembly, freedom of speech and association; - To respect freedom of information, including full access to independent information in respect to elections, including exit-polling, and allow activities of independent mass media; - To create conditions for the conduct of free and fair democratic elections, and include representatives of all participants in the electoral process in the election committees on all levels and register democratic electoral candidates as the absolute minimum to begin with. Civil society representatives should be given the secure possibility to monitor the election process. At the same time, the Conference admires the courage, will and power of civil society in Belarus in support of the ideas of democracy and European values. The Conference is willing to continue its support to civil society in Belarus to enable the peaceful development of the country’s democracy and its accession to the Council of Europe. |
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| Publication date | 22-01-2008 |
| Categories | Human rights and freedoms |
| Type |
Articles or papers |
| Link | http://www.coe.int/t/e/ngo/public/Resolution_Be... |
Russian
