“In Belarus, the crackdown on opposition politicians, civil society groups, human rights defenders and media continues. While no less than seven hundred demonstrators were arrested in the evening after the elections of 19 December, several of them have now been brought to court, have faced unsubstantiated charges and received extreme sentences.” In a new Human Rights Comment published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, underlines that it is important that the fate of the Belarusian people is not forgotten, and that we extend constructive support to civil society in this European country.