The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for May 2013

22.05.2013 Volha Zavadskaya: “It is frightful to think that Dzima’s case will go to archives…”

May 21, a party was held in Minsk to remember the abduction of the cameraman Dzmitry Zavadski.

22.05.2013 Is using e-mail safe in Belarus?

Largest Belarusian e-mail service tut.by gives away private correspondence on a request by special services. The platform’s owner Jury Zisser told that on his blog on Facebook.

22.05.2013 Another free trade union activist loses job in Mikashevichy

Leanid Dubanosau, excavator operator at the major “Granite” state-owned enterprise, learned this last evening when he first went to work after a holiday, but was not admitted to his working place for the night shift.

22.05.2013 Pensioner fined for "Chaser" coat-of-arms on a balcony

Activist in Hlybokaye, Vitsebsk region gets fined for 'spoiling the appearance of the building'.

22.05.2013 European Parliament's rapporteur recommends suspension of travel bans against Belarusian officials

Minsk, 21 May. Justas Paleckis, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Belarus, has recommended the suspension of the visa ban against key Belarusian officials.

21.05.2013 Civil society activist in Mazyr warned by Prosecutor’s Office

Halina Herasimava, activist of the civil initiative against lawlessness in the courts and the prosecuting authorities, representing the NGO in the city of Mazyr (Homel region), received a verbal warning for participation in an unregistered public association from Deputy Prosecutor of Homel region Vadzim Sushchynski.

21.05.2013 LGBT activist searched by customs officials

Aliaksei Kulik, activist of the Belarusian LGBT community, was searched by the customs officials while returning from Ukraine this morning.

21.05.2013 Minsk City Court turns down appeal by Radio Racyja reporter

Minsk City Court heard today appeals lodged by Radio Racyja journalist Aliaksandr Yarashevich and blogger Dzmitry Halko to contest their recent arrests. As a result, the journalist’s appeal was dismissed.

21.05.2013 Mahiliou social democrats sue local official over insult

The Court of Mahiliou Leninski district opened today the hearing of a lawsuit brought by the city’s office of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party against Pavel Shyshou, head of the dormitory service of the “Mahiliouablselbud” state-run enterprise.

21.05.2013 Front Line Defenders condemns abuse of prison regulations against Ales Bialiatski

Front Line Defenders released yesterday a statement concerning continuous reprimanding of Ales Bialiatski, including recent 6-month suspension of right to receive food from visitors.

21.05.2013 People of the Square

The presentation of Aliaksandr Tamkovich’s book about political prisoners “Life after prison” took place in Warsaw.

21.05.2013 Another death sentence: Think about it!

A report of the Prosecutor’s Office of Mahiliou region said on April 30 that another death sentence had been pronounced in Belarus. It was the first verdict since 2011. Some Western politicians were too quick to call the lack of new death sentences in 2012 as a “positive trend.”

21.05.2013 Political prisoner Edward Lobau allowed a long-term meeting with his mother and brother

It happened in the colony of Ivatsevichy and lasted for 3 days.

20.05.2013 Salihorsk: Ban on Freedom Day picket appealed to Regional Court

Activist Uladzimir Shyla is appealing a ban imposed by Salihorsk district executive committee on a mass event expected to be held on Freedom Day. The appeal will be heard by Minsk Regional Court.

20.05.2013 UN Human Rights Committee is no authority for Vitsebsk court

On May 17 the Chyhunachny District Court of Vitsebsk completed hearing the lawsuit brought by Mrs. Antanina Pivanos to demand compensation for confiscated embroidery with a prayer. On March 25, 2008 she gave it to the oppositionist Barys Khamaida, which was regarded as an unauthorized street event by the police and then by the court.