“Human Rights Watch”: Belarusian Authorities Make Oppositional Activities Impossible

This was a conclusion of the World Report 2008 of rights watchdog “Human Rights Watch”. The report also expresses concern over the Belarusian authorities’ attempts to intimidate and control human rights organizations.

Though it is not illegal to take part in oppositional political organizations in Belarus, in fact their activities are almost impossible. One should have a registration, but registration is denied by authorities on implausible reasons.

Over the last year dozens of oppositional activists were beaten up and arrested on frame-ups. Some leaders and opposition activists remain in prison. The report mentions cases of the former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin and one of the Young Front leaders Artur Finkevich, imprisoned for participation in an unregistered organization.

Concern over Belarusian authorities’ attempts to intimidate and control human rights organizations is expressed in the report. The denial to register the human rights center Viasna and fine sanctions against the Belarusian Helsinki Committee are referred to.

The human rights activists note that the Belarusian authorities increase control over the Internet by blocking politically unwanted web resources. The case of Andrei Klimau, in August 2007 convicted for publishing an article on the web, shows that Internet is no longer a safe place for criticizing the regime.