Since President Alexander Lukashenka tog office in Belarus 1994 the country has gone from constitutional democracy to authorian state. Lukashenka has continuously suppressed the political opposition and the civil society, and put pressure on the independent media in order to take the wind out of the democratic forces in the country.

“The situation in Belarus is characterised by the lack of respect for human rights and the silencing of critical voices. The International Ice Hockey Federation has an opportunity to stand up for human rights by not letting Belarus arrange the World Championships in 2014. We urge the Federation to act”, says Robert Hårdh, Civil Rights Defenders Executive Director.

The Presidential election in December 2010 and the authorities respons to the protests came as an unpleasant surprise for the European Union. More than 600 people were arrested in connection to the election, among them several Presidential candidates and journalists. Their sentences vary from administrative penalties to several years’ imprisonment. President Lukashenka won, not surprisingly, the fixed election.

“It is often argued that sport and politics should not be mixed. Nothing could be more wrong in this context. President Lukashenka will use the Championship for propaganda purposes, to calm the critique from the Belarusian citizens and the International community. The Championship will be used to legitimatize the regime”, says Robert Hårdh.

After years of cautious approachment between Belarus and the EU, the dictatorship showed its true colours in December 2010 and the EU had reason to re-evaluate the thawed relationship. Shortly after the election, the EU introduced travel sanctions for people within, or connected, the regime. This list has been expanded to include more people responsible for the oppression of the country’s citizens, opposition, independent media and the civil society. In April 2012 more than 200 Belarusians were banned from travelling within the EU-zone. In order to start a new dialogue the EU demands that Belarus releases political prisoners and takes other steps in the right direction.

Article 193
Civil society and organisations are a fundamental part of democracy. The right to organise yourself without interference from the state is a fundamental right, regardless of kind of organisation it is: athletic club, union, religious community, political party or human rights organisation. In Belarus organisations that pose a threat toward the regime are denied registration. According to Article 193 in the Belarusian criminal code it is also illegal to work in an organisation that is not registered. Such activities can lead to two years imprisonment. In combination with the categorical denial of registration of unwanted organisations, Article 193 poses a threat against the Freedom of Association.

In August 2011 one of Belarus most prominent human rights defenders, Ales Bialiatski, was arrested. The organisation he represents, Viasna, is denied registration and can therefore not work legally. Today Ales Bialiatski is serving a prison sentence of four and a half years. Viasnas Vice Chair, Valiantsin Stefanovich confirms that the human rights situation in Belarus is alarming:

“The situation in Belarus has gone from bad to worse. 2011 was the worst year so far. Never before has the country had so many political prisoners”, says Valiantsin Stefanovitj.

For more information, read the fact sheet (in Swedish) Democracy Misconduct: Belarus does not play by the rules, which we have handed over to the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation at a meeting earlier.

In a letter to the Prime Minister of Moldova we urge the government to adopt an anti-discrimination law in compliance with obligations under international human rights law.

The law in its current state does not meet European or international human rights standards. As a country aspiring to become a member of the European Union the proposed law stands in contradiction to this process.

Furthermore, Civil Rights Defenders support all the changes required by the Civic Group for Equality in their Public Appeal sent on May 15.

Letter to Mr Vladimir Filat May 16, 2012

PUBLIC APPEAL

Roundtable discussion of the Anti-discrimination law in Moldova

According to our partners in the country, Moldova will adopt an anti-discrimination law in a few weeks time, as an important step towards EU integration. Last week the bill was changed and sexual orientation was removed from the list of grounds protected from discrimination in the first article of the draft law. The only field where discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation is prohibited is employment. In addition, the title of the law has been changed to “The law on equality of chances”.

”Together with our partners we have been working for the adoption of an all inclusive law against discrimination for many years. The latest draft in which sexual orientation has been excluded from all areas but employment is disappointing to say the least. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are today facing widespread discrimination in Moldova and these violations must be outlawed,” says Miroslav Durdevic, Programme Officer for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Civil Rights Defenders.

International law, e.g. the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights and the European Convention for the protection of Human Rights, to which Moldova is state party to, explicitly state that sexual orientation and gender identity are part of the foundation of human rights protection and anti-discrimination principles.

Two staff members of Civil Rights Defenders have been in Moldova during the weekend taking part in Moldovan Pride events. They also participated in a roundtable on Sunday dedicated to the adoption of the Anti-discrimination law were representatives of the Government, local human rights NGOs and international guests of the Pride Festivals participated.

The families who are living along the Drino River are facing a difficult and problematic situation. Even though they have lived there for the past 12 years, they still lack running water, electricity and proper housing.

We are requesting from the local authorities to ensure that the families get access to running water, electricity and proper housing. We also emphasize that all decisions should be in consultation with the families.

Read the statment here

Civil Rights Defenders prepares a Code of Quality Report 2011 each year in accordance with the Swedish Fundraising Council’s Code of Quality of 30 May 2007. The purpose of the code is to increase transparency and openness within the organisation and to contribute to increased professionalism, improved governance, management and control, as well as making sure that there are structures in place for evaluating the organisations’ operations.

Between 8 and 11 May the observation group will visit different parts of the North Caucasus region. We have arranged for Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin and Björn von Sydow, Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the Swedish delegation of PACE (Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly) to meet with some of the leading human rights defenders in the region, as well some civilians whose rights have been violated. Also, meetings with representatives from authorities will take place.

Ms de Pourbaix-Lundin and Mr von Sydow will accompany three representatives from Civil Rights Defenders: Robert Hårdh, Executive Director, Joanna Kurosz, Programme Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Benedicte Berner, Vice Chair of the Board.

Robert Hårdh can be reached during the trip on: +46 709 14 63 14

The human rights situation in the North Caucasus – in brief

On a yearly basis the Russian government invests enormous sums of money to dampen the conflicts throughout the North Caucasus. Despite this, the conflict in Dagestan has transgressed into what can be equalled with civil war and the violence in Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria is still ongoing. Instead of dampening the conflicts Russian military and security forces are seemingly worsening it. Disappearances and extrajudicial executions occur daily.

One example of our work in the region is our cooperation with the human rights organisation Russian Justice Initiative. Together we have brought more than one hundred cases against Russia before the European Court. In all these cases Russia was found responsible for torture, disappearances and extrajudicial executions committed in the North Caucasus and was ordered to pay damages.

Human rights defenders in the region work under very difficult circumstances, putting their lives at stake to help victims obtain justice and to highlight the human rights violations in the North Caucasus. Since 2009 an increasing number of human rights defenders from the North Caucasus were harassed, beaten, kidnapped and murdered. Among others, Natalia Estemirova, human rights lawyer from Memorial Chechnya, who was abducted in Grozny on July 15, 2009 and later that day found shot dead in neighbouring lngushetia. The perpetrators have still not been brought to justice.

The murder of Estemirova was followed by several other murders of human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents, such as Chechen activist Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband Alik Dzhabrailov, who were illegally detained and later found killed, and activist Maksharip Aushev, who was shot dead while travelling in Kabardino-Balkaria on October 25, 2009.

A decade of failure to stabilize the region and deal with the rampant impunity has widened the gap between the public and the government. Nonetheless, Russian law enforcement appears unwilling to investigate these crimes or prevent violations and as a consequence, more human rights abuses are taking place.

Civil Rights Defenders has recently initiate a new programme to further empower and urgently support human rights defenders at risk in the North Caucasus. For more information please contact Marie Månson, Programme Director for Support to Human Rights Defenders at Risk, on +46 8 545 277 33 or by e-mail: marie.manson@civilrightsdefenders.org

We urge AICHR to immediately publicize the draft declaration so the public can meaningfully participate in the drafting process.

The drafting of the declaration is a litmus test of AICHR’s willingness to constitute a credible, respected, and effective regional human rights body.

Read the statement here Joint Statement on AHRD May 2 2012

Civil Rights Defenders in collaboration with Media Center Belgrade and Olof Palme Center, invite you to a series of quick panels with over 30 experts from civil society organizations, media and research institutes. Important questions concerning the electoral system, corruption, human rights, justice and equality in Serbia will be discussed.

Date: 6th May 2012th
Time: 18:00 – 24:00
Location: Media Centre Belgrade, Terazije 3, 2nd Floor, Belgrade

English translation will be provided for all events.

Se the Preliminary agenda here

Welcome!

Ninke Liebert photography

In Mesfin’s view, journalism is the most risky profession in Ethiopia, besides being an outspoken and critical politician. He compares being an independent critical journalist with going into a jungle full of dangerous predators.

“You don’t know their rules, their territory and their expectations. Whenever they feel like it, you will be a victim”.

In February 2012 Mesfin Negash was granted asylum in Sweden, after what he describes as a tormenting journey through the asylum process that lasted for one year and three months. He smiles when he is asked about the accusations that led him to flee his country:

“One funny part about Ethiopia is that you don’t really know what crime you are being accused of.”

Exile the only option to oppose the government

Mesfin and his colleagues at the independent newspaper Addis Neger were busy working when they heard rumours that they would be accused of supporting terrorism and undermining the constitution. After confirming that the threat was real, they sat down to discuss the options.

Changing the tone and style of the newspaper was one, but as Mesfin puts it, “that would be equal to killing the newspaper” and they did not want to compromise their professional or personal integrity. They did not want to close the paper either, because that would be to give in to the government. Furthermore, closing down the newspaper could be taken as a political statement about the situation, which could put them in danger. There was only one choice left. Mesfin says that it was a group decision to go into exile.

“It was the only option to deny the government what they wanted”.

About the same time as Mesfin and his colleagues went into exile, Ethiopian authorities publicly denied that there was any plans to charge the journalists. But two years later, the prosecutor charged him and another colleague. By then, they had added new charges, in addition to the original one of supporting terrorism, namely terrorism, espionage and treason. The first charge was later dropped. The reason given by the prosecutor was that the “defendants were included by typing error”. The terrorism charge carries serious punishments as the case of Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson demonstrates. The two Swedish journalists were arrested by Ethiopian forces on 1 July 2011 and have been held in prison since then. On 27 December 2011 they were sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for supporting terrorism.

According to Mesfin, charging journalists for such fictitious crimes became the main instrument to keep the public docile and silence critics.

The court found Mesfin guilty of espionage and of supporting terrorism in absentia, but the verdict that awaits him has not yet been delivered. The judiciary in Ethiopia, however, is not independent. According to Freedom House, the rule of law is weak and the legal system is subject to strong political pressure.

“My verdict is in the hands of the government. It is a political judgement. We could all be freed tomorrow or sentenced for 20 years”, he says.

He recalls an incident when the regime imprisoned an 84-year old man. His son was found guilty of terrorism and the 84-year old father was charged for collaborating with terrorists. In Ethiopia, you don’t know what can happen to you or people you know, or when and why.

“No evidence is required either, they can create them”.

Independent newspaper faces 100 charges

Although the illiteracy rate in Ethiopia is high (two out of three Ethiopians, according to BBC) and radio would reach more people, Mesfin chose the press. The reason is that radio requires more advanced equipment and huge investments compared with newspapers.

There are no private television companies and only two semi private radio stations in Ethiopia. The first one is affiliated with the ruling party and the other is too shy to criticise the government, according to Mesfin. When asked about independent press, Mesfin answers:

“That depends on how you define independence! There is independent press covering sports and fashion, business and soft political subjects. None of them are in a position to set an agenda. The government consider the remaining papers either loyal or ineffective, therefore tolerable. But another vocal independent newspaper that covers sensitive political issues is facing 100 charges at the moment”.

Journalists in the country are either co-opted by the ruling party, neutralized or going through hardship, Mesfin adds.

Systematic violations of opposition

The types of harassments Ethiopian journalists and other human rights defenders are experiencing vary. In the 1990s, arbitrary arrests, physical abuse and torture were very common. After 2005, violations became more systematic. The government started abusing the criminal justice system to ensure control:

“Everybody knows that terrorism is a phony charge”.

One journalist was sent to prison for 14 years. During her interrogation she was asked to testify against other defendants. She refused and for that she was denied medical treatment when she fell ill. Another journalist, sentenced to the same period of imprisonment, reported to the court that he had been beaten. Eskinder Nega, who was recently awarded the PEN America’s award, was imprisoned six times. Now, he is accused of terrorism and is standing trial with 23 other defendants, including six journalists. Most recently, the police arrested him as he was picking up his 6-year old son from school. The boy was crying, shouting: “They are killing my father”. Mesfin gets very upset when recalling this:

“It is inhuman to arrest him in front of his son. They could have brought him in earlier. It is a brutal dictatorship!”

But these ways of harassing people form part of the systematic plan to silence critics and send a message to others, Mesfin believes.

For the likes of Mesfin it is not an easy task, even just in a practical sense, to run a newspaper due to all the harassment. Some of the harassment techniques are laughable; Mesfin recalls what happened to the only vocal newspaper a few weeks back. For months, the weekly Fitih’s office had no electricity on Thursdays. And Thursday was the day it was finalised and sent to print. All other offices in the building and vicinity had power. Therefore, the staff must move to another office every Thursday.

One Thursday, though, the person in charge of cutting the electricity made a mistake. Mesfin laughs a little before continuing the story:

“He forgot to shut off the power line in the toilet, they had electricity there”.

The journalists brought their computers to the corridor and were able to send next day’s issue to print.

All this together creates an environment of fear and self-censorship, and many journalists leave the profession.

Charity law softly kills civil society

The government has effectively crippled civil society. In 2009, the so called Charity law was passed, which provides that organisation working with rights issues must have at least 90 percent of their income from local sources, and international NGOs (non-governmental organisations) may not work on rights related issues. In a country where more than five million people live on food aid one can hardly expect to find rich people risking their business to support such organisations.

“It is a policy designed to kill them softly”.

International NGOs are not allowed to operate in rights advocacy or protection; even fact-finding missions from the UN have been stopped. Without brave individuals, either living in Ethiopia or disguising to get in, the information about human rights abuses would not reach outside the country’s borders.

While in exile, the Addis Neger news crew launched a website just before the May elections in 2010. With the help of reporters inside Ethiopia they still run the paper. Today the website is blocked in the country but there are other social media outlets that are still running. None of Mesfin’s colleagues can make a living of their profession though, rather they are paying in order to maintain the website and compensate their reporters in Ethiopia.

Mesfin tries to make the international community aware of what is going on in Ethiopia. He equals the repression in the country to Burma or Iran.

“Western countries turn a blind eye to Ethiopia. But they stood together against the junta in Burma”.

One of the most famous opposition politicians in Burma is Aung San Suu Kyi, her name and destiny is well known in the world. Her equivalent in Ethiopia is not. This woman was a politician who was sentenced to life in prison, and spent one year in solitary confinement. She served yet another year before she was pardoned – after reading a confession crafted to humiliate her, admitting to things she has not done. It was broadcast on national television.

Ninke Liebert Photography

“What we can do is to keep on telling the stories. I think the time will come”, says Mesfin Negash.

Bio: Mesfin Negash

Wife and mother, still living in Ethiopia.

Born in Addis Ababa, 1973.

Political science student, journalist by profession, editor for exile newspaper Addis Neger

Has also worked for NGO’s in Ethiopia, one with HIV/AIDS-prevention and life skill training

Human rights at risk in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, journalists, politicians and activists are jailed, persecuted and exiled either because they dare to exercise their human rights or because they demand a political reform that does so. Young and emerging political activists are enduring increasing intimidation and harassment.

Three journalists are already sentenced to long time in prison for alleged involvement in “terrorism.” Another six are expecting their sentence among which one, Eskinder Nega, is awarded the 2012 PEN America prestigious award. Independent journalists are working under a tense environment; one of them is facing more than one hundred ridiculous charges including printing letters sent from prison by three of the defendants accused of “terrorism.” These measures are intended to terrorize citizens and distance them from expressing their views.

There are hundreds and probably thousands nameless citizens languishing in areas where neither local nor international human right advocates are allowed to work. NGOs working on rights issues are considered by the authorities as potential enemies or traitors.

In 2009 the infamous Charity law was passed in Ethiopia. The law prohibits international NGOs to work on rights issues and local counterparts must mobilize 90% of their income from local sources, which in practical terms means that they are forced to close down their projects.

Citizens cannot exercise their right to assembly or forming associations unless they submit their allegiance to the ruling party. Membership of the party is a key for young graduates to get job in government or affiliated organizations. The same holds true to the business community: party membership matters.

The ultimate goal of the ruling party is monopolizing power and resources. They are denying the formation of any meaningful constituency and silencing voices for human rights that are enshrined in the Constitution of the country.

Facts Ethiopia

Capital: Addis Ababa
Population: 84.7 million (UN, 2011)
Life expectancy: 58 years (men), 62 years (women) (UN)
Area: 1.13 million sq km (437,794 sq miles)
Major religions: Christianity, Islam

Sources: BBC

Civil Rights Defenders calls on the S:t Petersburg and Russian federal authorities to respect LGBT activists’ right to peaceful protest.

Read the press release of our partner Coming Out in St Petersburg