The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 10 Mar 2014

10.03.2014 Situation of Human Rights in Belarus in February 2014

Despite heated debates around the issue of political prisoners, their fate in February remained unchanged. There were no positive dynamics in other sensitive areas of human rights in Belarus. The situation remained stably frozen and poor.

10.03.2014 Court upholds fine imposed on participant of “Stop Tax” action by traffic police

January 13 Dzmitry Dzmitryieu was stopped by traffic police while driving on Nezalezhnasts Avenue in Minsk. That day, owners of motorcars held the action "Stop Tax" against the imposition of a tax on admission of vehicles to traffic movement.

10.03.2014 Homel City Election Commission “insistently advises” UCP candidate to withdraw from elections

Members of the Homel City Election Commission have trice asked an activist of the UCP Dzmitry Karpenka to withdraw from the elections.

10.03.2014 Brest authorities ban rally of solidarity with Ukrainian people

At 12.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. on March 10, Brest regional branch of the United Civil Party intended to hold a procession in Masherau Avenue, Lenin Street and the central square of Brest, with participation of 10-15 people.

10.03.2014 Baranavichy: state-owned newspaper refuses to publish election program of opposition candidate

State-owned newspaper “Nash Krai” refused to publish the election program of a candidate for the Brest Regional Council, Mikalai Charnavus. The editor of the newspaper told the candidate to radically change it, but the latter didn't agree. As reported by Chair of Zakhodniaya constituency election commission No. 21 Larysa Antonava, the text of the electoral program was sent to the Central Election Commission.

10.03.2014 Anatol Liabedzka awaiting trial

February 7, Chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka was summoned to the Savetski District Police Department of Minsk to give explanations concerning the rally of solidarity with Ukraine, held near Kamarouski market in Minsk the previous week-end.

10.03.2014 Siarhei Vazniak fined for campaigning picket

Judge of the Savetski District Court of Minsk Maryna Fiodarava fined Siarhei Vazniak, a candidate for the Minsk City Council running on Kalvaryiskaya constituency No. 38, 5.2 million rubles.

10.03.2014 Human rights situation in Belarus discussed at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) organized a number of meetings and events on the situation with human rights in Belarus as part of a session of the UN Human Rights Council that took place in Geneva on March 6 – 7, 2014.