The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

22.12.2015 Hrodna Regional Court predictably rejects activist’s appeal

The Hrodna Regional Court has predictably rejected a cassation appeal by activist Yury Hlebik, who tried to challenge a decision by the Śvislač District Court of November 19. The activist was fined 4.5 mln rubles for taking part in a memorial event held on October 31.

21.12.2015 UN HRC registers complaint by death convict’s mother

The UN Human Rights Committee has registered an individual communication submitted by Volha Hrunova, the mother of Aliaksandr Hrunou, who was executed in 2014. The death convict’s mother appeals against a violation of her son’s right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment and the right to a fair trial.

Customs experts find no signs of extremism in <em>Viasna</em>’s book

18.12.2015 Customs experts find no signs of extremism in Viasna’s book

In March 2015, the Ašmiany customs department took about 40 copies of the book “Human Rights Situation in Belarus. 2014”, which was published by the Human Rights Center "Viasna". The books were carried by human rights activist Ales Dzerhachou.

17.12.2015 Inside Belarus's 'rehab prisons' for alcoholics – in pictures

“Photographer Irina Popova’s new book documents her trip inside a controversial Soviet-era workhouse for substance abusers – where most inmates get drunk to celebrate their release,” says The Guardian in a photo report about the country’s LTPs (activity therapy centers).

17.12.2015 Police charge another participant in students’ protest

Pavel Siarhei, an activist who was involved in a protest staged by the students of the Belarusian State University on December 2, will stand trial on charges of participating in an unauthorized demonstration (Part 1, Art. 23.34 of the Administrative code).

17.12.2015 Term Of Detention In Remand Prison For Tajik Activist Arrested In Brest Extended

The term of remand prison detention for the activist of the Tajik organisation 24 Group Shabnam Khudoydodova detained in Brest has been extended for 2 months.

16.12.2015 Russian citizen sentenced to death in UAE, awaiting extradition in Belarus

Pyotr Ivanik, a Russian national, who has been sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates, is currently awaiting extradition in jail No. 1 in Minsk, according to representatives of the campaign "Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty in Belarus”.

16.12.2015 UN criticizes Belarus for executing Pavel Sialiun

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has published its Views adopted in the case of Pavel Sialiun, who was sentenced to death in Belarus in June 2013. The Committee concludes that Pavel Sialiun's right to life under article 6 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was violated, since “the author was sentenced to death after an unfair trial.”

15.12.2015 UN Human Rights Committee rules in favor of Viciebsk activist

The UN Human Rights Committee has published a decision in the case of Taras Surhan, resident of Viciebsk, whose rights under Part 2 of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights were violated by the Belarusian government.

15.12.2015 Final analytical report on the results of monitoring the 2015 presidential elections by the campaign "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections"

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".

11.12.2015 Activists involved in ‘graffiti case’ face final charges

Maksim Piakarski, Vadzim Zharomski, Yaraslau Ulyianenkau, and Viachaslau Kasinerau, have been invited to the Investigative Committee’s Minsk office to face final charges in the so-called “graffiti case”.

11.12.2015 Video blogger detained by KGB in Mahilioŭ

Yauhen Hlushkou, who runs a video blog about local events in Mahilioŭ, has been detained when filming a memorial sign outside the KGB city office a week before the official opening.

10.12.2015 Criminal Charge Against Graffiti Artist Maxim Piakarski Reduced

Now Piakarski is accused under Article 341 of the Criminal Code “Desecration of facilities and property damage.”

10.12.2015 Former Political Prisoner Yury Rubtsou Applied For Asylum In Germany

Yury Rubtsou is waiting for the decision on political asylum in Nuremberg.

10.12.2015 December 10 – Human Rights Day

This year's Human Rights Day is devoted to the launch of a year-long campaign for the 50th anniversary of the two International Covenants on Human Rights: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.