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Belarus

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Campaigns and Advocacy

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International NGOs stand up for human rights

Since the December 2010 presidential elections, an unprecedented wave of repression was unleashed, with the Belarusian KGB detaining and interrogating opposition activists, journalists, protesters and human rights defenders.

WiPC renews calls for release of journalists, activists on two-month anniversary of mass arrests

WiPC and other groups have also called for the dismissal of politically-motivated criminal cases against journalists and human rights activists.

See all campaign news: Belarus

From the Communiqué

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Royal Bank of Scotland pulls out of country thanks to campaign

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has announced that it will no longer engage in "any type of capital-raising" on behalf of the government of Belarus after an Index on Censorship and Free Belarus Now campaign.

Authorities celebrate independence by cracking down on protesters

Here's how Belarus's Independence Day on 3 July was marked this year: the authorities used tear gas and arrested more than 300 journalists and anti-government protesters in Minsk and other cities, and blocked access to Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites used by the organisers, say Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Human Rights Watch and Index on Censorship. The day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from German occupation in 1944.

Dissidents sentenced in connection with election protests

Last week journalist Irina Khalip was given a two-year suspended sentence for "organising and participating" in the December protests against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, while her husband, opposition candidate Andrei Sannikov, was sentenced to five years for his part in the election protests, report Index on Censorship, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members. While Lukashenko ramps up his attack on pro-democracy forces, the U.S. and EU have joined IFEX members in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.

See all articles: Belarus

Reports

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Freedom House and Center for European Policy Analysis release working group report on democratic transition

The report includes recommendations for breaking the information blockade in the country and galvanising the links between civil society organisations and the population.

Authorities carrying out campaign to stifle free expression, says Human Rights Watch report

"Shattering Hopes: Post-Election Crackdown in Belarus" documents the human rights violations that have occurred since the re-election of President Lukashenka.


See all reports: Belarus