The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for December 2013

18.12.2013 Raman Kisliak: Ales Charkashyn’s case will be continued

They had to release Ales Charkashyn, says human rights activist from Brest Raman Kisliak. The BCD activist was to be tried at 9:00. However, he was not taken to the court building an hour later, and then it became known that he was released because the judge did not consider the case due to inaccuracies in the record of the offense.

17.12.2013 Uladzimir Yaromenak to serve term in Baranavichy

The activist will spent the nearest three months in the detention facility in Baranavichy.

17.12.2013 Yarmoshyna: Observers at elections will have to go through accreditation

Previously, this concerned only foreign observers, but now Belarusians as well.

17.12.2013 Belarus hands down another death sentence (updated)

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" learned that another death verdict was pronounced in Belarus. The convict is Eduard Lykov, 53, charged with five episodes of murder while intoxicated. The sentence was handed down by the Minsk Regional Court on November 26, 2013. Lykov has been under investigation since 2011. During this time he has had three counsels.

17.12.2013 Belarus' local elections set for 23 March 2014

Elections to the Belarusian local councils of deputies of the 27th convocation is scheduled for 23 March 2014. Alexander Lukashenko signed relevant decree No557 on 16 December, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service.

17.12.2013 Orsha activists sue district executive committee over banned rally

Judge Alesia Kotava advised the applicants of the banned picket to immediately pay another court fee, so that the complaint could be considered in two separate trials. However, she saw no violated rights to organize a mass event.

17.12.2013 Author of District Chronicles Ruslan Mirzoyeu imprisoned for 12 months

The grassroots film director will serve his sentence in Shklou. Ruslan used his last days at large for shooting an anti-drug film.

17.12.2013 Mazyr trade union activist faces dismissal

Pavel Nazdra, an activist of the REP independent trade union’s office in Mazyr, has received threats of dismissal after his employer learned that the activist was elected leader of the Trade Union’s group in April 2013.

16.12.2013 Journalists Detained “To Avoid Mass Disorders”

The Investigative Committee of Belarus held an inquiry into the fact of detention of 10 journalists at the railway station in Minsk and denied starting criminal proceedings, claiming that the police committed no violations.

16.12.2013 Supreme Court rejects appeal of Brest independent journalist

Press photographer Milana Kharytonava tried to challenge the decision of the court of Brest’s Maskouski district, which turned down her lawsuit for the protection of honor, dignity and business reputation lodged against reporter of a local government-run weekly "Brestskiy Vestnik" Uladzimir Minevich. The latter posted offensive comments against the independent photojournalist on one of the Internet portals.

16.12.2013 Board of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" once again stresses the legitimacy of the organization's activities in Belarus

Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Valiantsin Stefanovich received a reply to his appeal to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Belarus, which concerned the introduction of the website spring96.org in the list of resources with restricted access.

16.12.2013 Brest police detain and send to mental hospital guy who staged performance in front of Regional Executive Committee building

Ales Charkashyn was dressed as a "prophet", his hands were tied with chains and doused with red paint. It symbolized the blood of Belarusians. During the performance, the activist urged the authorities to repent for their sins against the people.

16.12.2013 Ivan Shyla summoned to court

Ivan Shyla, activist of the Young Front movement, was summoned to the Court of Salihorsk district on December 19. This was reported to local human rights defenders by the activist’s parents. The reason is the alleged debt for penalties awarded to him when he was sixteen. Ivan himself is currently studying in Poland.

16.12.2013 Vitsebsk court dismisses libel case against Aliaksandr Kirylau

Before it happened, the defendant was taken to mental hospital and a police officer “persuaded him not to complain” about the doctors of Salihorsk speleotherapy center.

16.12.2013 General Prosecutor's Office explains why spring96.org was blacklisted

Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Valiantsin Stefanovich received a reply to his appeal to the Prosecutor General’s Office, which concerned the introduction of the website www.spring96.org in the list of restricted access resources.