Watchdog

The Belarusian Justice Ministry has refused to legally register a homosexual rights organization in Minsk.

The organization's website -- gaybelarus.by -- published part of a letter from the ministry explaining the decision.

It stated "the organization does not have in its charter any clauses on supporting social maturity and comprehensive development of the Belarusian youth."

The organization's charter states its major activities will be linked to defending the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals, and transsexuals.

Organizations cannot legally operate unless they are registered with the Justice Ministry.

The group plans to appeal the Justice Ministry's decision to the country's Supreme Court.

Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Belarus after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarusian homosexuals often face threats and attacks.

With reporting by Interfax

The United Nations has made public its first report on the human rights situation in Moldova's breakaway Transdniester region.

In the document published on February 14, independent expert Thomas Hammarberg calls for a reform of Transdniester’s penitentiary system and urges the authorities to give high priority to measures against human trafficking.

The report follows three visits to the region by Hammarberg between May and November 2012.

In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay welcomed the full cooperation of the authorities and the access given to Hammarberg in Transdniester.

She also called on the authorities “to address the deeply rooted problems identified in the report” and to develop “a plan of action for human rights.”

Moscow-backed Transdniester declared its independence from Moldova in 1990 but was never recognized internationally.