The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for January 2013

31.01.2013 Human Rights Watch: "Belarusian government continues to severely curtail freedoms"

"The Belarusian government continues to severely curtail freedoms of association, assembly, and expression, and the right to fair trial," says the World Report 2013 released today by Human Rights Watch.

31.01.2013 Anastasia Dashkevich (Palazhanka) taken off train to Vilnius

Anastasia Dashkevich(Palazhanka), the wife of political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich, was taken off the train, as she was going to take exams at the European Humanities University in Vilnius, the Nasha Niva newspaper reports. The reason for the detention is that she reportedly failed to change her passport after the marriage.

31.01.2013 Yauhen Vaskovich’s Babruisk friends suspect political prisoner doesn’t receive all letters

The friends and associates of political prisoner Yauhen Vaskovich once again express their doubt that all their letters reach their destination.

30.01.2013 Press Freedom Index: “Belarus moved back towards appalling position”

Reporters Without Borders released the World Press Freedom Index with Belarus ranked 157th. Belarus follows Ethiopia, Burma, Gambia and Azerbaijan, Radio Svaboda reports.

30.01.2013 Brest journalist complains to Prosecutor’s Office of police obstruction

Mrs. Milana Kharytonava, press-photographer of the “Brestskiy Kurier” independent weekly, has lodged a statement with local Prosecutor’s Office to demand prosecution of a policeman who reportedly obstructed her professional activities.

29.01.2013 Viasna to Barys Bukhel: “Keep Up Good Work, Colleague!”

The Human Rights Center “Viasna” is sending congratulations to its Mahiliou activist Barys Bukhel on receiving the “Person of the Year” award from the “Mahiliouski Mahistrat” civil community. The award is the result of Barys Bukhel’s persistent activities for the protection of human rights.

29.01.2013 Hrodna Regional Court turns down appeal by local human rights defenders

Hrodna Regional Court considered today a complaint by Hrodna human rights defenders Viktar Sazonau, Raman Yurhel and Uladzimir Khilmanovich. On January 5, Judge Vital Liatsko of Leninski District Court sentenced the activists to a fine of 500,000 each for posting a photo on the Internet, where the activists were shown holding the portraits of political prisoner Ales Bialiatski.

29.01.2013 Mikalai Ulasevich’s judicial marathon

Hrodna Regional Court considered today an appeal lodged by civil society activist Mikalai Ulasevich to contest an earlier decision of Astravets District Court, which found him guilty of an administrative offense and fined 4 mln rubles back in December 2012 as a result of as many as nine trials.

29.01.2013 Granit plant administration continues scaring workers

Two drivers of Mikashevichy-based Granit plant were fined 700,000 rubles each for missing a meeting of the plant commission.

29.01.2013 Belarusian Wall (video)

A short movie was posted on the internet about the Belarusian politically imprisoned anarchists.

29.01.2013 Iryna Khalip applies for leaving Belarus

Iryna Khalip asks permission to leave for the UK and Russia.

29.01.2013 The parliament will toughen the law on political parties

The House of Representatives will examine amendments to the laws on political parties and public associations.

29.01.2013 Human rights defenders petition President to demand unbiased assessment of police-related violence case

The private cultural and educational institution “Platforma Innovation” addressed President Aliaksandr Lukashenka with an open letter, demanding an unbiased and fair investigation into the case of alleged beating a guard of a Minsk-based parking lot Vasil Sarochyk by policemen, the BelaPAN news agency reports.

29.01.2013 Brest activists campaign for return to practice of public debate

The Brest-based “Humanitarny Most” (“Humanitarian Bridge”) cultural and educational association supports calls by other non-government organizations to secure the right of citizens to participate in decision-making relating to the development and improvement of towns and cities.

29.01.2013 Svislach activists submit complaints to UN Human Rights Committee

Viktar Dzesiatsik and Anatol Valiuk, civil society activists from the town of Svislach, Hrodna region, have submitted complaints to the UN Human Rights Committee to demand unbiased consideration of their cases ignored by Belarusian courts.