The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for August 2015

25.08.2015 BHC observer not allowed to attend formation of precinct election commissions in Hlusk

Ihar Kiryn, an observer of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, was not admitted to yesterday’s meeting of the Hlusk district executive committee, which considered the issue of forming local precinct election commissions.

25.08.2015 Why activists detained in ‘graffiti case’ face deliberately unfair, excessively grave charges?

Lawyer Pavel Sapelka has commented on the prosecution and detention of youth activists in the so-called ‘graffiti case’.

25.08.2015 UCP chooses active boycott

The United Civil Party members have gathered 52,158 signatures, according to its leader Anatol Liabedzka, which is not enough for his registration as a presidential candidate. However, the party is not going to leave the campaign.

24.08.2015 Human Rights Center "Viasna" welcomes release of six political prisoners and calls on authorities to take more steps aimed at systemic changes of human rights situation in Belarus. A statement.

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" welcomes the release of six political prisoners and calls on the authorities to take more steps aimed at systemic changes in the field of human rights in Belarus

24.08.2015 Babrujsk: Election commission announces fantastic number of signatures for Ulakhovich

According to information announced by the chairman of the election commission of Babrujsk’s Pieršamajski district, the greatest number of signatures was submitted by the nomination group of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

24.08.2015 Observer in Mazyr asks to scrutinize signature sheets

Uladzimir Tseliapun, an observer in the city of Mazyr, has sent a petition to the district election commission asking to provide him with an opportunity to view the signature sheets submitted in support of the presidential contenders.

24.08.2015 Smarhoń district: 25% of voters’ signatures support the incumbent

On Saturday, August 22, the Smarhoń district election commission met to address the question of selecting signatures for checking.

24.08.2015 Statkevch to remain under police supervision

The former political prisoner received a release certificate.

24.08.2015 U.S., EU Welcome Release Of Belarus Opposition Figures

The U.S. State Department has welcomed the release from prison of Belarus opposition politician and former presidential candidate Mikalay Statkevich and five others.

24.08.2015 Analytical report on the results of weekly observation: August 17-23

Observation of the election of the President of Belarus is carried out by activists of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center "Viasna" in the framework of the campaign "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections".

22.08.2015 Viasna welcomes release of political prisoners and calls for further steps to improve human rights situation in Belarus

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" welcomes the release of six political prisoners – Mikalai Statkevich, Mikalai Dziadok, Ihar Alinevich, Yauhen Vaskovich, Artsiom Prakapenka and Yury Rubtsou, and calls on the Belarusian authorities to take more steps in order to improve the situation in the field of fundamental civil and political rights, said Valiantsin Stefanovich, Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Center "Viasna".

21.08.2015 Investigative Committee charges suspects in ‘graffiti case’

The Investigative Committee has officially charged youth activists Maksim Piakarski and Vadzim Zharomski under Part 2, Art. 339 of the Criminal Code, “hooliganism committed by a group of persons”, after they were detained for inscribing graffiti and smearing a billboard in Minsk.

21.08.2015 Siarhei Kaliakin quits election

Presidential contender Siarhei Kaliakin will not submit the collected signatures to the election commissions, but will call on citizens to vote against all.

21.08.2015 Protesters call to release graffiti makers

On August 20 there was held a picket to support graffiti makers next to the pretrial detention facility No. 1, Valadarskaha Str.

21.08.2015 Hrodna region: democratic parties nominate 54 persons to polling station election commissions

The democratic parties participating in the presidential election have nominated 54 contenders to the polling station election commissions of the Hrodna region.