Meeting of the ISHR (Belarus) on human rights issues in the Mogilev region

On November 3, 2018, the Belarusian section of the ISHR held a meeting on the theme of “Realization of human rights in the Mogilev region: achievements, existing problems” at the “Kola” center, a venue which has already earned a reputation as an excellent platform for holding seminars, presentations, and even concerts in the regional center for itself.

A discussion between the represented human rights specialists, including professors and heads of relevant departments of Mogilev universities, members of human rights organizations and movements (“The Mogilev Human Rights Center”, “For Freedom”, “The Right of Choice”, “The Public Magistrate”), complemented by the presence of young students and trainees from the region, was moderated by professor Ivan Kotlyar, Chairman of the Board of the Belarusian Section of the ISHR, and Vladimir Stavski, Head of the Mogilev Regional Group of the organization.

The participants were able to cope with the task of discussing the problems identified within the framework of the program of the meeting: “Ways to overcome corruption”, “On social protection of the rights of young people”, and “Discrimination, social inequality, and poverty as phenomena of social life”. While paying tribute to positive instances, negative facts affecting the Mogilev region today were also noted. There are issues with the hiring of university graduates after graduation, low wages, poverty and inequality in society, manifestations of discrimination and corruption.

As a result of the discussion, recommendations aimed at overcoming existing problems were developed. In particular, the Board and the Scientific and Expert Council of the Belarusian section of the ISHR were instructed to intensify work in the field of combating corruption having to hold conferences, seminars, and round tables on the topic with government agencies, including ones with the support of international agencies, and to attract the media towards the rejection of corruption and those who carry it out among the population.

All recommendations will be discussed at a meeting of the Board of the Belarusian section of the ISHR in the near future and subsequently brought to the attention of state institutions. All of the participants in the meeting took part in summarizing the outcomes and expressed their appreciation for the organization of the meeting and its results.

Pavel Pernikau

acting executive secretary,

head of the press center of the Belarusian section of the ISHR