Assembly of pro-democratic non-governmental organizations issued a monitoring of the conditions for NGOs in Belarus during 2009. See attached.

Looking for European partners are Belarusian organizations active in the following fields: spreading of European values and intercultural dialogue, regional informational and educational projects (local civic initiative), support to children with health problems and those who suffered from Chernobyl catastrophe and protection of animals. More information on the Belarusian organizations you can find here. Civic Belarus will answer your questions regarding potential partnership with a Belarusian organization (info@civicbelarus.eu).

 

Civic Belarus joined an open letter to president Lukashenka. Twelve European organizations asked Belarusian state to stop persecution of men, who ask for alternative (civilian) army service on grounds of their conscience (religious beliefs). The letter was sent on 27 January 2010 and you can find its text and list of organizations that joined the campaign here. On February 1, one of the young men who asked for alternative civilian service - a possibility granted by Belarusian laws - was sentenced to three months in prison. Campaign for the right of Belarusians to alternative civilian service continues: www.ags.by.

In second half of March, young Belarusians who are active in their city or region will spend two weeks in the Czech Republic. They will meet local civic initiatives, learn about the system of local self-government, receive training on public campaigns and work with the media. Deadline for submitting applications is February 5th 2010. You can find more information here.

Tatsiana Shaputska took part in Civil Society Forum within Eastern Partnership program last November in Brussels. Immediately after her return to Belarus, she was expelled from Belarus State University, where she had been studying.

 

Slovak foundation Pontis published a new issue of their newsletter on scholarships, internships, conferences and other opportunities for Belarusians. See their 19-page-long newsletter.

Lawyers from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia and Georgia can take part in a one-year course that will teach them how to apply human rights concepts in their daily practice without leaving their homes. The deadline for submitting applications is December 20, 2009. For more information see Human Rights House webpage.