The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for January 2014

22.01.2014 Natallia Pinchuk: I don't believe Lukashenka's words

The words about the release of Ales Bialiatski mean nothing, the political prisoner's wife thinks. Natallia Pinchuk spoke to charter97.org about Lukashenka's promise to amnesty Ales Bialiatski.

21.01.2014 Human Rights Watch: Human rights situation in Belarus saw little improvement in 2013

"The human rights situation in Belarus saw little improvement in 2013. The state suppresses virtually all forms of dissent and uses restrictive legislation and abusive practices to impede freedoms of association and assembly," says the annual World Report released by Human Rights Watch.

21.01.2014 Parliament urged to terminate powers of PM Krautsou

Former candidate for Parliament in Krychau electoral district No. 83 Valery Karankevich sent on January 20 another statement to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Uladzimir Andreichanka.

21.01.2014 Belsat Lawsuit: Plaintiff Changes Claim

Today, the company Belsat + no longer wants that Belsat TV stop being transmitted; now, the only thing the director wants is that Belsat TV stop using the trade mark “Belsat”.

21.01.2014 Mahiliou authorities ban picket over lack of cleaners

A picket expected to protest the introduction of new taxes was banned by the executive officials of Mahiliou, after local utility service refused to clean up the area.

21.01.2014 Prosecutor’s Office warns head of Regional Election Commission

Vitsebsk City Prosecutor's Office issued an official warning to Chairman of the Regional Election Commission for failing to consider a complaint by observer Pavel Levinau in due time.

21.01.2014 UKRAINE: Open Letter to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and Parliamentary Speaker Volodymyr Rybak

Call to repeal highly restrictive law on so-called “foreign agents”, libel and extremism, which blatantly violates Ukraine's international obligations

20.01.2014 CEC to reconsider registration of two nominations

On January 20, Mikalai Ulasevich, an activist from the town of Varniany, was notified by the Central Election Commission that on January 21 it would hold a meeting to review the registration of Ulasevich’s two nomination teams enforced by Astravets District Election Commission.

20.01.2014 Hrodna Regional Court confirms picket ban

On January 20, Hrodna Regional Court considered an appeal lodged by local human rights defenders Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Raman Yurhel to challenge a decision of Leninski District Court. The latter recognized legality of the executive committee’s refusal to hold a picket to inform about the situation with the death penalty in Belarus on October 10, 2013.

20.01.2014 Opposition activist Zmitser Dashkevich’s trial scheduled for January 30

The trial of prominent opposition activist Zmitser Dashkevich, who is accused of violating the terms of “preventive police supervision,” will take place in the Pershamayski District Court in Minsk on January 30.

20.01.2014 Mazyr: Officials go to local councils by collecting signatures

The Mazyr District Election Commission has registered 46 teams formed to nominate candidates for members of the District Council. According to local observer Uladzimir Tseliapun, a meeting of the Election Commission was held on January 17, and all the electoral teams were registered, as a result.

20.01.2014 Judge hears appeals against self: result is predictable

A resident of Mahiliou, Vasil Lipski, is appealing a number of decisions issued by First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court. The activist sent his complaint to the Court’s Chairman Valiantsin Sukala.

20.01.2014 Biaroza: Only 2 independent nominations in 27 constituencies

The Biaroza District Election Commission has registered only two electoral teams of potential candidates for local councils members, as the stage of registration has come to an end.

20.01.2014 HRHN members call upon President Yanukovych to veto law violating rights

In their joint letter to President Viktor Yanukovych, members of the Human Rights House Network (HRHN) call upon him to veto a law adopted by the parliament on 16 January 2014 violating most fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly, as well as basic rights to associate and work for a non-governmental organisation, including the right to be a human rights defender.

17.01.2014 Astravets District Court predictably sides with officials

On January 16, Astravets District Court continued to hear a complaint by civil society activist Mikalai Ulasevich against the actions of local executive committee, who did not allow him to hold a picket on December 7 last year to demand “justice for corrupt officials”. As a result, the court dismissed the activist's complaint.