Presence of political prisoners is an indicator per se. And the appearance of new names among political prisoners suggests the absence of political will of the government to improve the situation.
This opinion shared to the EuroBelarus Information Service an expert of Legal Transformation Centre “Lawtrend” Aliaksei Kazliuk.
Especially sharp is the problem of the systematic violations of political rights and freedoms, notes the expert of Lawtrend. Legal Transformation Centre in 2012 focused attention on such spheres as Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Association and right to a fair trial. “And according to the results of the research, we have to state that the situation got worse in many directions”, - states Aliaksei Kazliuk.
Thus, in the sphere of the Freedom of Association the situation is that there is no way to implement this right freely. At the end of 2011 and in 2012 a number of changes of a prohibitive character were put in legislation. During the year Legal Transformation Centre observed the practical application of these norms by the law. The presumption of the illegal meeting, the permissive principle of organization, restrictions on the place and the time of the conduct as well as practically unlimited possibilities to forbid any action – these are the main problems. The results of the monitoring show that the actions of not only political character, but many civil initiatives are persecuted as well.
And the participants of the illegal meetings fall under administrative responsibility – this is either a heavy fine, or an arrest of up to 15 days. And the liability comes regardless of the character of the event, it being a “toy picket” or a walk in the city with a portrait of an artist. And the procedure of the trial that obviously doesn’t conform to the international standards arouses many questions. Often the only proof is the contradictory evidence from the police.
One more problem is the actions of the police officers. Unfounded detentions of the political and civil activists, ridiculous accusations in obscene language, physical abuse of the detained and facts of torture well-known in the community damage the reputation of the militia as the security office, more and more often recalling the alternative name - law enforcement agency.
“This as well as other disrespect to the fundamental human rights from the side of the representatives of the country is not just private case, but the sad consequence of system problems of the political system of the country. It can be solved only in case of the factual separation of powers and independence of the judicial system”, - sums up Aliaksei Kazliuk.This opinion shared to the EuroBelarus Information Service an expert of Legal Transformation Centre “Lawtrend” Aliaksei Kazliuk.
Especially sharp is the problem of the systematic violations of political rights and freedoms, notes the expert of Lawtrend. Legal Transformation Centre in 2012 focused attention on such spheres as Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Association and right to a fair trial. “And according to the results of the research, we have to state that the situation got worse in many directions”, - states Aliaksei Kazliuk.
Thus, in the sphere of the Freedom of Association the situation is that there is no way to implement this right freely. At the end of 2011 and in 2012 a number of changes of a prohibitive character were put in legislation. During the year Legal Transformation Centre observed the practical application of these norms by the law. The presumption of the illegal meeting, the permissive principle of organization, restrictions on the place and the time of the conduct as well as practically unlimited possibilities to forbid any action – these are the main problems. The results of the monitoring show that the actions of not only political character, but many civil initiatives are persecuted as well.
And the participants of the illegal meetings fall under administrative responsibility – this is either a heavy fine, or an arrest of up to 15 days. And the liability comes regardless of the character of the event, it being a “toy picket” or a walk in the city with a portrait of an artist. And the procedure of the trial that obviously doesn’t conform to the international standards arouses many questions. Often the only proof is the contradictory evidence from the police.
One more problem is the actions of the police officers. Unfounded detentions of the political and civil activists, ridiculous accusations in obscene language, physical abuse of the detained and facts of torture well-known in the community damage the reputation of the militia as the security office, more and more often recalling the alternative name - law enforcement agency.
“This as well as other disrespect to the fundamental human rights from the side of the representatives of the country is not just private case, but the sad consequence of system problems of the political system of the country. It can be solved only in case of the factual separation of powers and independence of the judicial system”, - sums up Aliaksei Kazliuk.
The Belarus Committee of ICOMOS announces the collection of cases on the effectiveness of the State List of Historical and Cultural Values as a tool of the safeguarding the cultural monuments.
On March 27-28, the Belarus ICOMOS and the EuroBelarus held an online expert workshop on expanding opportunities for community participation in the governance of historical and cultural heritage.
It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.
"Specificity is different, but the priority is general." In Valożyn, a local strategy for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
The campaign "Agenda 50" was summed up in Ščučyn, and a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed there.
The regional center has become the second city in Belarus where the local plan for the implementation of the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
Representatives of the campaign “Agenda 50” from five pilot cities discussed achievements in creating local agendas for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
It is noteworthy that out of the five pilot cities, Stoubcy was the last to join the campaign “Agenda 50”, but the first one to complete the preparation of the local agenda.
On May 28, the city hosted a presentation of the results of the project "Equal to Equal" which was dedicated to monitoring the barrier-free environment in the city.
On March 3, members of the campaign "Agenda 50" from different Belarusian cities met in Minsk. The campaign is aimed at the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In Stolin, social organizations and local authorities are implementing a project aimed at independent living of persons with disabilities, and creating local agenda for the district.
He said Belarus would likely face economic tightening not only as a result of the coronavirus pandemic but also a Russian trade oil crisis that worsened this past winter.
In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.
It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.