Human Rights Watch recognizes new political prisoners in Belarus

Human Rights Watch has recognized Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka, Yury Liavonau (freed in August 2009) and Artsiom Dubski as political prisoners, according to the report released by this international human rights watchdog. This year's report stands out, because it has detected more attacks on human rights organizations and activists around the workd than usual.

Human Rights Watch said human rights situation in Belarus worsened over the past year. It mentioned four new political prisoners in 2009, the dispersal of several demonstrations and the unjustified registration rejections for two NGOs (Nasha Viasna, Belarusian Assembly of NGOs) and three newspapers (Novaya Gazeta Babruiska, Nasha Pravincyia, Magilyouski Chas).