The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for October 2012

24.10.2012 Astravets activist sues officials over administrative charges

Mikalai Ulasevich, civil activist from the town of Varniany, has lodged a lawsuit with the Court of Astravets district against a number of local officials who initiated administrative proceedings against the activist.

23.10.2012 Prosecutors find no illegalities in KGB's refusal to give Kavalyow's jail notes to mother

The Prosecutor General's Office has found no illegalities in the decision by the Committee for State Security (KGB) not to give Uladzislaw Kavalyow's jail notes to his mother.

23.10.2012 Homel journalist receives another warning

On 22 October, independent journalist Larysa Shchyrakova was summoned to Homel Regional Prosecutor’s Office to receive a warning for illegal contributing to the Poland-based BelSat TV channel.

23.10.2012 BCD activist put on KGB’s preventive register

On 22 October Aleh Aksionau, activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy’s Mahiliou office, received a phone call from a KGB agent who suggested having a meeting. A few hours later, the activist visited the KGB department to receive a warning for activities on behalf of an unregistered organization.

23.10.2012 Homel entrepreneurs to go on strike

On Tuesday, entrepreneurs of the city's biggest shopping center "Secret" are going to protest against the new rent.

22.10.2012 Fair World observers receive standard come-offs from CEC and Prosecutor’s Office

Members of Zhlobin district office of the Belarusian United Left Party “Fair World” have received runaround replies from local Prosecutor’s Office and the Central Election Commission to their complains against several violations during the parliamentary elections, says former candidate Valery Rybchanka.

22.10.2012 “Departed on Sentence” documentary screened in Mazyr

A documentary entitled “Departed on Sentence” that was created by Viktar Tratsiakou and Palina Stsepanenka and deals with the issue of the death penalty was presented on Sunday in the southern town of Mazyr, Homel region.

22.10.2012 Vaskovich has been receiving letters only from relatives for half a year

According to the information form the press-sevice of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Anatol Sanatsenka received a letter from the journalist of his newspaper Yauhen Vaskovish, who is now in the prison number 4 in Mahiliou. This is the first piece of news from the political prisoner for almost two years that he has spent in an isolation ward, colony and prison.

22.10.2012 Investigative Committee drops criminal charges against Mikalai Petrushenka

Vitsebsk regional office of the Investigative Committee has closed a criminal case against Mikalai Petrushenka, activist of the Nash Dom civil campaign, under Art. 369 of the Criminal Code (“insulting a representative of the authorities”).

22.10.2012 Polish officials not allowed to enter Belarus

Four representatives of the Ministry of Education of Poland have been denied Belarusian visas. They planned to participate in the Second Polish Language Education Forum which was held in Baranavichy.

22.10.2012 Investigation of Poczobut’s Defaming Lukashenka Extended

The Hrodna regional office of the Investigative Committee of Belarus has prolonged its investigation of a libel case against journalist Andrzej Poczobut until November 21.

22.10.2012 Barysau prosecutors issue predictable dismissal on observer’s complaint

Barysau District Prosecutor’s Office dismissed on Friday a complaint lodged by Vasil Lapatsin, observer representing the Fair World Party at polling station No. 25 of constituency No. 62, who argued that chairman of the election commission Anatol Kuchko refused to show the original of the final voting record. The decision referred to the “absence of any elements of an administrative offence”.

22.10.2012 Mahiliou trade union activist fails to protect honor and dignity in court

Judge Halina Kuzhaleva of Mahiliou Leninski District Court dismissed a lawsuit on Friday brought by Aliaksei Paulouski, activist of the independent trade union of the radio and electronic Industry, who accused member of the House of Representatives and Prosecutor of Mahiliou region Eduard Siankevich of disseminating information that could discredit the activist’s honor and reputation.

19.10.2012 Berlin activists say NO to death penalty in Belarus

An action against the death penalty in Belarus was held in Berlin on the World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October.

19.10.2012 Disloyal worker fired “for health reasons”

Brest regional authorities have made use of a new method of labor discrimination of disloyal workers: locksmith Siarhei Ivanou has been fired “for health reasons” from Brest Chief Specialized Bureau of Complex Climate Equipment Design.