About Aliaksandr Bialiatski

Aliaksandr Bialiatski is the founder and head of Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’, one of the most important human rights organisations in Belarus. His work in Viasna has made him a central figure in the community of non-governmental organisations and the opposition movement, and Belarusian authorities have brought him to court on about twenty occasions. Since he founded Viasna (Spring) in 1996, Bialiatski has made it clear that he does not have political ambitions. Instead, he has concentrated his work for human rights through the NGO sector.

         
About Viasna

Viasna is with its eight employees one of very few remaining organisations that offer direct support to victims of the totalitarian regime in Belarus. They provide pro bona court assistance to persecuted individuals and their families, as well as practical and political assistance to other victims. Viasna is a human rights educator in Belarus, and both at home and internationally a highly respected source of information about human rights violations, politics and the civil society situation in the country. The information is spread through an excellent tri-lingual website, reports every second week, as well as annual reports. Additionally, the organisation has also published several well-documented special reports. Over the last few months Viasna has assisted students expelled from Belarusian universities due to political activities, to enrol in universities abroad. Read more: www.spring96.org/eng 

 
Europe’s last dictator tightens his hold

Belarus is called ‘Europe’s last dictatorship’ and President Lukashenko has since he came to power in 1994 developed obvious totalitarian traits. He has virtually eradicated civil and political rights such as the freedoms of assembly and of organisation. At the turn of the year very dramatic changes in the penal code came into force. Fines or prison/detention of two to five years will punish civil activities that include criticising the state of the Republic of Belarus and/or its leadership. Working in officially non-registered human rights organisations will lead to imprisonment for up to two years.

         
About the Sakharov Freedom Award

30 years ago the Russian political prisoner Andrei Sakharov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in December 1975. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee - with the consent and support of Sakharov himself - established the Andrei Sakharov Freedom Fund in 1980 in order to support those who, because of their opinions, faith or conscience, are persecuted or jailed. The first Sakharov Freedom Award was awarded in 1984. By the Sakharov Freedom Award 2006 the Norwegian Helsinki Committee wish to:

• commend an individual who is highly worthy of such attention
            
• direct international focus towards the Belarusian dictatorship in the run-up to its presidential elections, March 19 2006
            
• make use of the very limited opportunities to financially support the advocacy of human rights and democracy in Belarus

             
Ceremony details

Time: The Norwegian Theatre, Christian IV st. 8, Oslo
Venue: Tuesday February 14th, 1 pm – 4 pm

         
For further information

Advisor Berit Lindeman
Phone: (+47) 22 47 92 07 / Mobile: (+47) 909 33 379
E-mail: lindeman@nhc.no

Sist oppdatert 18/01-2006.

Skriv ut