The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for July 2014

18.07.2014 Liudmila Kuchura does not give up in confrontation with investigative authorities

After a probe sought by the wife of prisoner Piotr Kuchura, Liudmila, the Mahiliou interdistrict department of the Investigative Committee refused to open a criminal investigation into the illegal actions of the administration of penal colony No. 15. Liudmila Kuchura has appealed the decision to the City Prosecutor.

18.07.2014 European Parliament approves new Delegation for Relations with Belarus

The European Parliament voted on Thursday to approve a new membership list for its Delegation for Relations with Belarus.

18.07.2014 Tell the Truth activist in Belaaziorsk appeals warning to Supreme Court

Aliaksandr Kuzmin, a civil society activist from the town of Belaaziorsk, Brest region, has lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court to appeal against a written warning for activities on behalf of an unregistered organization “Tell the Truth”. Earlier, the Brest Regional Court refused to reverse the warning received by the activist in March 2013 from the prosecutor of Biaroza district.

17.07.2014 Former political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich appeals ban on leaving town for treatment

Former political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich, who has been subjected to strict restrictions in connection with preventive supervision, believes that employees of Vaukavysk police department violated his rights by preventing him from traveling to Minsk for examination in a private medical center.

17.07.2014 Political prisoner Lobau visited by mother in prison

Eduard Lobau had a short-term meeting with his mother.

17.07.2014 Alternatyva leader Aleh Korban loses job

Aleh Korban, chairman of the Alternatyva NGO, has told about his sudden dismissal from Tut I Tam Logistics on his Facebook account.

17.07.2014 Ukrainian MP deported from Minsk

Oleksandr Bryhynets, who had been detained at the airport in Minsk yesterday, was deported from Belarus.

17.07.2014 Brest Regional Court turns down appeal by Biaroza defenders

On July 14, the Brest Regional Court considered an appeal by Biaroza human rights defenders Tamara Shchapiotkina and Siarhei Rusetski, as well as local civil society activist Tatsiana Tarasevich. The claimants asked to reverse the decision of the Biaroza District Court, which confirmed a ban on a picket scheduled for March 25. They also urged the court to send the case for a new trial by another judge.

17.07.2014 Khotsimsk police send apologies to activist, but fails to name internet detractors

On July 16, an opposition activist from the town of Khotsimsk, Valery Karankevich, finally received a response from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to his complaint to the Minister, in which he asked to cancel previous decisions by Mahiliou police chiefs, who ordered to close an administrative case opened after his statement was sent to the police.

17.07.2014 Baranavichy authorities ban picket marking anniversary of Declaration of Independence

A civil society activist Ryhor Hryk received on July 15 a letter signed by the deputy chairman of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee D. Kastsiukevich, which says that the authorities will not allow to hold a rally on July 27, expected to mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Belarus’ State Sovereignty.

16.07.2014 Mahiliou police stop car and seize opposition newspapers

Ihar Barysau, a member of the presidium of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party “Hramada”, says police officers stopped his car and took numerous copies of newspapers. The party member faces a trial and a fine of up to 7.5 mln rubles. The publications were sent for examination, Radio Liberty’s Belarus service said.

16.07.2014 Pope Francis to receive founder of shelter Aliaksei Shchadrou

Aliaksei Shchadrou, founder of a homeless shelter in the village of Aliaksandrauka, Shchuchyn district, who was persecuted by the authorities, is expected to meet with Pope Francis.

16.07.2014 Hrodna Regional Court to hear appeal by freelance journalist Andrei Mialeshka on July 24

Andrei Mialeshka, a freelance journalist from Hrodna, continues his struggle for the right to impart information. The member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists has appealed against the decision of the court of Kastrychnitski district to the Hrodna Regional Court. The complaint will be considered on July 24.

16.07.2014 Police charge wife of critical blogger in Babruisk

A blogger from Babruisk, Aleh Zhalnou, says that on July 15 he visited the Investigative Committee’s office as a witness.

16.07.2014 Kalinkavichy activist Dzianis Rabianok to complain to UN Human Rights Committee against unfair justice

Dzianis Rabianok, an activist of the United Civil Party from the town of Kalinkavichy, has been unable to find justice for more than a year and a half. Recently, he received a response to his complaint from the Supreme Court, which upheld the decision of the district court of Kalinkavichy.