BELARUS

Overview

Official name: Republic of Belarus
President: Alexander Lukashenko (since 1994)
Size: 207,600 square kilometers
Population: 9, 480,900 people (as of 1 January 2015)
Life expectancy at birth: 73.2 years
Capital: Minsk (Population 1,938,200)
National Structure: Belarusians – 83.7%, Russian – 8.3%, Poland – 3.1%, Ukrainians – 1.7%,  Other nationalities – 3.1% (according to the census in 2009)
Official languages: Belarusian, Russian
National currency: Belarus ruble (Br).
Economic indicators: (2014) GDP of $ 76.1 billion and the GDP per capita. $ 8,030.9 GDP growth – 1.6%, inflation – 18.1% [2].
Industry sectors: metallurgy, mechanical engineering, metal processing, chemical and petrochemical industries, light and food industry.
Natural resources: wood, peat, potash and stone salt, small deposits of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomite, limestone, clay, sand.

Source: ‘The most important facts, Belarus’ www.belarus.by / Official website of the Republic of Belarus. – Minsk, 2015 – Access: http://www.belarus.by/ru/about-belarus/key-facts. – Access Date: 2015.10.18.
World Bank in Belarus [Electronic Resource] / The World Bank Group. – Washington, DC, USA. – Type of access: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/belarus. – Date of access. – 2015.10.18.

ISHR Section Belarus

The Belarusian Section currently has 75 members and is based in Brest, Belarus. It joined the ISHR in 1997.

The Belarusian conducts its activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the state regulations for public associations, and the statutes of the International Society for Human Rights. The organization was founded and operates on the principles of voluntariness, independence, transparency, efficiency, and equality of its members.

The main purpose of the work of the section is to develop a strong culture and consciousness of human rights, as well as respect for human dignity and life. It focuses its work on the following areas:

  • Carrying out activities to support the realization of human rights
  • Promoting the importance of the ideas of human rights in society
  • Protecting the rights and legitimate interests of citizens and members of society
  • Promoting the establishment of a republican system of human rights education

In practice, the issue of human rights still remains relevant in Belarus. Thus, the organization has paid great attention to the issue of human rights education. This includes addressing human rights as a concept which extends beyond political rights and freedoms to include the relationship between economic, social and cultural rights.

The section is not affiliated with any political party or association, as human rights organizations should not have to fight for power, but rather have a humanizing impact on existing powers.

The Belarusian Section works to accomplish these goals strictly through non-violent and peaceful means, including activities such as conferences, academic studies, and expert field analyses. The Section also concentrates heavily on its work with students.

News

Lukashenko on the road to totalitarianism: what can stop him?

Lukashenko on the road to totalitarianism: what can stop him?

Over the past year, the development of Alexander Lukashenko's authoritarian regime has accelerated towards totalitarianism. The government sees no reason to stop this development and is encroaching on all possible ...
Mass searches and detention of more than 80 people in one day in Belarus

Mass searches and detention of more than 80 people in one day in Belarus

On 23 January, according to the Human Rights Centre "Viasna", 84 people were detained in Belarus for "participation in an extremist formation" and "financing of extremist activities". The detainees included ...
Nationwide raids on family members of political prisoners

Nationwide raids on family members of political prisoners

Frankfurt a.M. – Belarus Nationwide raids on family members of political prisoners The Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenkо sends his Dementors into a psychological war against his own people. His aim ...
Beds for the Kherson Military Hospital

Beds for the Kherson Military Hospital

Beds for the Kherson Military Hospital IGFM-Wittlich and the International Society for Human Rights handed over another batch of humanitarian aid to the Belarusian organisation "Nash Dom" in Lithuania. This ...
Belarus: The outcry must not remain unheard

Belarus: The outcry must not remain unheard

Belarus. 10 years imprisonment for the 60-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Dr. phil. Ales Bialiatski. His last words in court:“This civil war must end! I hope you will hear me" ...
Daria Losik, wife of political prisoner Ihar Losik, detained in Belarus

Daria Losik, wife of political prisoner Ihar Losik, detained in Belarus

Radio Liberty reported that law enforcers came to Daria Losik's flat at 7:30am on October, 18 to conduct a search. A criminal case may be opened against Daria for "promotion ...
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Ukrainian Centre for Civil Liberties, Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski and Russian Memorial

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Ukrainian Centre for Civil Liberties, Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski and Russian Memorial

This year's Nobel Peace Prize 2022 laureates are human rights defenders: the Ukrainian Centre for Civil Liberties, Belarusian human rights defender and founder of the human rights organisation Viasna, recognised ...
The harrowing cruelty of internal struggle in Belarus

The harrowing cruelty of internal struggle in Belarus

“Treason of the state”: A new verdict for political prisoner Belsat journalist Ekaterina Andreyeva in Belarus A further 8 years in prison for the young Belarusian journalist who did nothing ...