News

Aliaksandr Atroshchankau, a 3rd year student of International Law program at the European Humanities University, was sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment on the 2nd March 2011. He has been kept under the KGB custody since the 20th December 2010.

Mr. Atroshchankau was a spokesman for Belarusian presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov during the presidential election campaign in Belarus in 2010. He had been a spokesman for European Belarus civil campaign and also has worked as a journalist for charter97.org for many years. He has been recognized as prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.

On a more hopeful note Anastasiya Palazhanka, a 2nd year student of Political Sciences and European Studies at the European Humanities University, was awarded the 2011 International Women of Courage Award. The Women of Courage award was established in 2007 by then North American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to recognize and honor women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in promoting women’s rights and advancement.

On March 8, 2011, 10 awardees selected from across the globe were congratulated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the framework of 100th anniversary celebration of International Women’s Day in Washington, DC – however Anastasiya Palazenka was unable to attend the ceremony as a result of travel restrictions imposed by the Belarusian government pending a criminal case brought forth on to the “organization of and participation in mass disturbances”.  If the courts so decide Anastasiya Palazenka faces imprisonment of up to 15 years.

The Secretary General of EUF-CE, Prof. Christoph Ehmann, reiterates that the Campus Europae network stands in solidarity with the EHU, its students, staff and teachers. While media attention as again turned away from Belarus following the December elections it is our duty to report that Human Rights abuses have, unfortunately, not declined since.