Home > News > News from our networks > Support Ales Bialiatski, Vice-president of FIDH, detained since August 4th 2011 - 24 October 2011

Support Ales Bialiatski, Vice-president of FIDH, detained since August 4th 2011 - 24 October 2011

Ales Bialiatski, Vice-President of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and Chairman of the Viasna Human Rights Center, has been detained since August 4th in Belarus. Prosecuted for tax evasion, Ales Bialiatski was sentenced to three to seven years in prison. The International Community is mobilizing around him, as a symbol of the struggle for the rights of the Belarusian people.

Since 1996, Ales Bialiatski runs the Viasna Human Rights Center, an organization that helps victims of political terror and makes as much as possible independent information on the situation in Belarus available. Driven by Ales Bialiatski, the Viasna Human Rights Center is also trying to organize solidarity within the Belarusian human rights movement. Since 2004, the situation of human rights in Belarus has deteriorated, as the Government continued its policy of “chocking” the civil society and opposition. Considered as the last “dictatorship” in Europe, it retains more than ever all the features of the monolithic power of the former Soviet Republics.

A severe restriction on freedom of association, such as the inability to register as independent organisation or to receive funds from abroad, have hampered the work of Viasna and compromised its efforts to support and helps victims of political repression. Like other leaders of NGOs, Ales Bialiatski decided to circumvent this provision by opening a bank account abroad for Viasna, while maintaining strict control over the funds. Ales Bialiatski is a victim of political harassment and is prosecuted for his activities in favour of Human Rights.

These accusations of “tax evasion” are an excuse for Lukashenko’s government to rid themselves of courageous Human Rights activists.

You can join the FIDH in its fight for the freedom of Ales Bialiatski by completing the following form available here. 

Back to previous page