News for 27 Jul 2009

27.07.2009 Human rights activists speak against language discrimination in Belarusian army

Representatives of the Human Rights Center Viasna have addressed Belarusian Minister of Defense and Prosecutor General with a demand to put an end to illegal harassment of Private F.Viachorka and other Belarusian-speaking soldiers for using Belarusian during military service. The appeal says: ‘We, Belarusian human rights activists, have to address you in connection with the information in a number of mass media reporting of threats with criminal prosecution and consequent summary punishment by the command of military unit #48694 to be imposed on Private Franak Viachorka. According to the information we have received the threat of punishment was caused by F.Viachorka’s use of one of the state languages of the Republic of Belarus – the Belarusian language.’

27.07.2009 ARCHE magazine denied right to distribution

The editor-in-chief of the ARCHE analytical magazine Valer Bukhakau has received a letter from head of the Belsayuzdruk state press distribution monopoly Ihar Dudzich, saying that the magazine will not be able to be sold through the state-owned network due to ‘overload.’ Mr.Bulhakau says there have not been many changes in the field of distribution of independent media, since the conditions are still very unequal.

27.07.2009 Arrests for national flags started in regions

In the town of Haradok, Vitsebsk region, young oppositionists planned to celebrate the Independence Day on July 27 by a rally under a white-red-white flag.

15 young activists gathered on the central square of the town with national flags and scanned slogans: “Long live Belarus!” As a result, policemen detained activists of “European Belarus” Iryna Pyatrova and Leanid Autukhou, and “Moladz BNF” activists Valery Ramanenka and Taras Surhan.

A report was drawn up against the detained on charges relating article 23.34 of Administrative Code – “Participation in unsanctioned events”. It is known that the court is to take place today.
слухаць Радыё рацыя Міжнародная федэрацыя правоў чалавека Беларуская Інтэрнэт-Бібліятэка КАМУНІКАТ Prava-BY.info Беларускі Праўны Партал Восточный корреспондент Свободу Алесю Беляцкому ! Межрегиональная правозащитная группа - Воронеж/Черноземье
Московская Хельсинкская группа
Молодежное Правозащитное Движение
amnesty international