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IHF Publications IHF Yearly Campaign IHF Activities Priority Regions and Countries 2006 - 2007
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PART VI: STATEMENTS
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open letter to the ministers of foreign affairs of osce-participating states
Appeal from Belarusian human rights organizations
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Maastricht, December 2, 2003
Ladies and gentlemen,
The international community recognizes the necessity and importance of human rights activities, and takes all measures to support them. This is reflected in international documents, for instance the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights , and the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (?).
Belarusian human rights organizations initiate positive developments in legislation and judicial practice, they organize educational programs and offer human rights monitoring. The Belarusian Helsinki Committee’s legal aid offices alone, see over 2000 visitors whose rights were violated.
However, Belarusian human rights organizations face significant obstacles in their work, which constitute a part of a intensified process of elimination of civil society’s structures by the ruling regime. The country’s authorities have set a dangerous course, to suppression of civil initiatives.
In 2003, 13 NGOs concerned with the promotion of human rights were closed on the basis of formal, petty or factitious irregularities. Their liquidation was politically motivated. At present, cases on liquidation of another eight organizations are pending in court. Other NGOs have received warnings, and are under threat of liquidation as well.
The Belarusian human rights organizations appeal to you to come out in support of civil society’s efforts on promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms, and to impel the Belarusian government to stop prosecution of human rights organizations and abide democratic standards and obligations they undertook.
Tatsiana Pratsko, Chair of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee
Ales Beliatski, Chair of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”
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