2013 International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Europe Homophobia and transphobia remained widespread in Belarus, as captured by the President of Belarus’ statement: “it is better to be a dictator than gay.” During the year, attempts were made by conservative politicians and religious leaders to further limit the rights of LGBTI people through legislative proposals ranging from: (i) the criminalisation of homosexuality; to a (ii) ban on gender reassignment procedures; and (iii) a ban on artificial procreation techniques. Bias motivated speech In March, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said “it is better to be a dictator than gay”. The Read the full article…

UN Human Rights Council 24 June 2013 Recalling also Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 of 18 June 2007, 1. Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus; 2. Expresses deep concern at continuing violations of human rights in Belarus, which are of a structural and endemic nature, and also at the systemic and systematic restrictions on human rights, especially in the case of the freedoms of association, of assembly, and of opinion and expression, as well as the guarantees of due process and fair trial, and expresses particular concern at the Read the full article…

Amnesty International Annual Report 2012: the state of the world’s human rights Published 24 May 2012 Restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly increased during the year. The government continued to carry out executions. Prisoners of conscience remained in detention and were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. The right to a fair trial was restricted. Background Social unrest increased due to a worsening economic situation, and the government responded with restrictions on freedom of assembly and association. On 17 June, the UN Human Rights Council expressed concerns at the situation in Belarus. It condemned the human rights violations Read the full article…