The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 19 Oct 2010

19.10.2010 Ales Bialiatski: The authorities are deepening political and social crisis of the people of Belarus

Belarus has ignored most of the recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review procedure (UPR), as well as those by the UN Human Rights Council. It can be seen from the Views and responses of the Republic of Belarus on the Conclusions adopted for further consideration by the competent authorities in the UPR on May 15, 2010. The content and the importance of these recommendations to the country’s civil society will be discussed with the chair of the Human Rights Centre "Viasna" Ales Bialiatski.

19.10.2010 Proposals by Baranavichy HR activists to be considered in future, says CEC

On 19 October, Baranavichy human rights defenders Siarhei Housha and Karnei Piatrovich received a reply from the Central Electoral Commission to their earlier statement on alleged violation of the Electoral Code.

19.10.2010 Rights of Homel activist violated by Belarusian authorities, says UN HR Committee

The UN Human Rights Committee has released its findings, condemning the violation of civil rights of Homel activist Uladzimer Katsora by the Belarusian authorities back in 2004, when the police seized 14,000 leaflets and fined the activist BYR 1,050,000, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

19.10.2010 Trial against "Tell the Truth" activist Mikhas Bashura resumed

The court trial against Mikhas Bashura will be resumed on October18 in Savetski district court of Minsk. According to Radio Liberty, the activist of the "Tell the Truth" campaign is under trial for alleged repeated document forgery.

19.10.2010 Lawyer: There's no corpus delicti in Bashura's case

The certificate allegedly forged by Mikhas Bashura did not influence the bank's decision on whether to provide him credit. This was informed today in court by the "Belarusbank" employee Iryna Shytsik. She said the salaries of other guarantors were big enough to receive credit.

19.10.2010 Pro-dem campaign activist detained in Vitsebsk

Ales Halavan, member of Ales Mikhalevich’s, Vital Rymasheuski’s and Ryhor Kastusio’s campaign teams, was detained by Vitsebsk police on 18 October, on suspicion of a criminal crime. He was later taken to Vitsebsk Pershamaiski police department. The police seized the signature sheets and other campaign equipment.

19.10.2010 Drybin executive authorities campaign for Lukashenka

The official web-site of Drybin district executive committee has published an appeal to the district residents, emphasizing the achievements of the current power. It also calls on the voters to cast their ballots for ‘stability and wellbeing of society.’