News Feed

26/07/2021

Poland detains human rights activist from Siberia on Russian red notice

Polish authorities have detained Russian human rights activist Yevgeny Khasoyev, acting upon a red-notice request from Moscow via Interpol. In late March, Khasoyev, the leader of the Siberia Without Torture in the Siberian region of Buryatia, said that he was fleeing Russia after two criminal cases on charges of assaulting a court bailiff and libel were launched against him. Khasoyev says the cases launched against him are politically motivated.

Source: RFE/RL

26/07/2021

France’s lower house approves controversial anti-separatism bill to battle Islamist extremism

After an acrimonious seven-month debate, the French National Assembly approved the controversial “anti-separatism” bill despite strong criticisms from parliamentarians from the Left and the Right. The government argued the legislation was needed to bolster France’s secular system, but critics say it breaches religious freedom.

Source: France 24

26/07/2021

Russia takes Ukraine to European Court of Human Rights

The Russian government is taking Ukraine to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) over 10 grievances ranging from violence during anti-government protests and the downing of flight MH17 in 2014. The filing marks Russia's first-ever interstate complaint with the ECtHR. The Russian prosecutor’s office said in a statement that it sought to “restore peace and harmony in Ukraine” with the ECtHR claim.

Source: The Moscow Times

26/07/2021

Minsk City Executive Committee liquidates Human Constanta, Lawtrend, Names, Press Club and other NGOs

After raids by law enforcement on 14 July, the Minsk City Executive Committee announced the liquidation of more than 25 NGOs, including Human Constanta, Lawtrend, Office for Youth Employment Assistance and Support "UlarConsult", "Office for the Rights of People with Disabilities", Belarusian National Youth Council "RADA", "Center for European Studies", "Office for European Expertise and Communication" and many others.

Source: Mediazona Belarus

15/09/2021

Poland detains Belorussian activist

Belorussian political activist Makar Malakhovsky has been detained in Poland under the Interpol warrant, which is used only for criminal offenses. As Polish Foreign Affairs minister said: “…It is a result of another attempt to use so-called Interpol red note for political purposes. This time by Belorussian regime. In July I’ve applied to the Interpol Authorities to emphasise the urgence of changes in this regard.”

Source: Mediazona

15/09/2021

ProtonMail slams French tactics following backlash on climate activist case

Encrypted email service ProtonMail has come under fire after it gave the IP address of a climate activist to the Swiss judiciary. The information was originally requested by the French police via the EU crime-fighting agency, Europol. The company said it had no other choice and criticized France’s tactics to obtain the information.

Source: Euractiv

15/09/2021

Lithuania told not to return Afghan refugees to Belarus by European court

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Afghan refugees, which are already hiding in Lithuania, should not be removed from the country. This decision came during the escalating conflict with Belarus, which is accused by Vilnius of encouraging migrants to illegally cross the border to destabilize the bloc.

Source: Euronews

15/09/2021

The Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill is scheduled for its second reading

The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill is scheduled for its second reading in the House of Commons. Campaigners, legal experts, scientists and academics drafted the Bill in response to government inaction over climate change, biodiversity loss and ecological deterioration. It calls for an emergency strategy for the UK to actively conserve and restore nature, and ensure annual legally binding targets, whilst making a legal commitment to ensuring warming is limited to 1.5C.

Source: Euronews

15/09/2021

Russia election: Opposition crushed ahead of managed polls

Ahead of upcoming elections in Russia, independent politicians and civil society activists felt a fierce pressure from the Russian authorities. In recent weeks, Russian authorities limited access to online broadcasting from the voting polls, intensified the labeling of independent media as “foreign agents” and disrupting their activity, banned Navalny’s “Smart Voting” initiative and denied independent candidates from being registered. As experts say, Russian authorities are preparing for massive frauds in order to ensure high results of the ruling party.

Source: BBC