Belarus’s Human Rights Defenders v Lukashenka

Belarus’s Human Rights Defenders v Lukashenka

Thursday 15 July 2021 | 16:00 BST

Dictators deny human rights. They stifle them. Lukashenka’s regime in Belarus is no different. As Lukashenka digs in and denies democratic accountability and the rule of law in Belarus, he and his cronies are waging a war against human rights defenders. Lawyers, journalists, activists and campaigners promoting and protecting human rights are targeted.

On 15th July from 4pm, the Belarus International Committee is holding an event to get to grips with what is happening in Belarus to human rights defenders. We will hear from activists and human rights defenders on the ground, as well as those who’ve been forced into exile. We’ll find out what’s happening to those human rights defenders who’ve been detained. And the other tactics used by Lukashenka’s regime to crush human rights defenders will be exposed. The response of the international community will be explored. Lukashenka will be held to account. We will find out how.

Chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, speakers include:

• Aleh Aheyeu, Lawyer from the Belarusian Association of Journalists

• Galina Arapova, Lawyer and free speech expert

• Yuri Dzhibladze, Member of the Working Group on Belarus, the Civic Solidarity Platform

• Mary Fitzgerald, Director of information democracy at the Open Society Foundation (OSF)

• Diego García-Sayán, UN Special Rapporteur on judges and lawyers

• Liudmila Kazak, Lawyer

• Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

Almost one year on from the election stolen by Lukashenka, this event will reveal the extent of the human rights abuses being experienced by those seeking to uphold them in Belarus. Human rights will prevail, but at a real and human cost to those who defend them.

There is no charge for this zoom event.

All are welcome.

This event is co-organised by Doughty Street International, International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, International Commission of Jurists and the Bar Human Rights Committee.

There will be simultaneous translation in English and Russian.

Translation will be provided by: Elena Edwards  and Anton Klevansky. We are grateful for their contribution to this event and for helping us in making it accessible to more individuals across the globe.

Watch the recording below.