UN supports Ales Byalyatski

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution today condemning prosecution of human rights activists for the origin of their funding.

According to Souhayr Belhassen, the President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), it was “a strong signal of support sent by the United Nations to the defenders around the world who are prevented from funding their activities, de-legitimised and often criminalised for their human rights work”, Radio Svaboda reports.

International human rights defenders stress that the resolution bears direct relation to the case of Belarusian political prisoner Ales Byalyatski. According to the decision of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), by jailing him Belarus violated its international obligations in interfering in the funding of human rights NGOs’ activities.

It should be reminded that the head of Viasna human rights centre was given a 4.5-year prison term in November 2011. He was found guilty of alleged tax evasion. The human rights activists didn't admit his guilt and said all money on his accounts had been spent on human rights activity.