The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

31.08.2014 Ukraine: UN report shows rising civilian deaths, ongoing rights abuses

Intense fighting, including the use of heavy weaponry by both sides, in densely populated areas of eastern Ukraine, has increased the loss of civilian life, with an average of around 36 people being killed every day, says a new report issued today by the United Nations human rights office.

29.08.2014 Activist harassed over flyers campaigning for strike

Human rights activists say there has been another case of persecution of a civil society activist. As reported by Anastasiya Loika, on August 18 Minsk police detained Raman Khalilau.

29.08.2014 Mahiliou residents ask authorities to reverse restrictions on mass events

Dozens of Mahiliou have signed a collective appeal to the Council of Ministers of Belarus, where they ask to cancel the decision of the Mahiliou City Executive Committee ‘On Mass Events in the City of Mahiliou”.

29.08.2014 Ban alarmed by ‘dangerous escalation’ in Ukraine crisis; Security Council holds emergency talks

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is alarmed by what seems to be a “dangerous escalation” in the crisis in Ukraine with reports of intensified fighting in the country south-east near the border with Russia, as the Security Council held emergency talks on the latest developments.

29.08.2014 Rasul Jafarov Appeals to the International Community

Rasul Jarafov's appeal to the International Community about his unlawful arrest and the case against him.

29.08.2014 Political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou to celebrate birthday in prison

On August 30, political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou is going to celebrate another birthday in prison. The activist was taken into custody on December 5, 2013 after he was convicted under Article 421 of the Criminal Code (“non-compliance with preventive supervision restrictions”).

29.08.2014 Court in Brest refuses to open investigation into election fraud

Liudmila Dzenisenka, chairperson of the Brest office of the Belarusian Party of the Left "Fair World", in who was running this years’ local elections as a candidate for the City Council, lodged a complaint with the Leninski District Court in order to find out who voted at their residence in the city’s constituency No. 13.

29.08.2014 Court in Homel sentences opposition activist to 5 days in jail

The Tsentralny District Court of Homel considered yesterday an administrative case against activist Kanstantsin Zhukouski, who was detained by riot police on August 25. As a result, Judge Volha Kazlova convicted the activist of disobeying police officers (Article 23.4 of the Administrative Code) and sentenced him to an administrative arrest of five days.

28.08.2014 Human rights must lead Azerbaijan’s future development agenda – UN expert group

Human rights and open dialogue should be at the heart of Azerbaijan’s economic development, the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights concluded at the end of a 10-day visit to the country.

28.08.2014 Russian rights ombudsman asks Ukrainian counterpart to help free captured soldiers

Mikhail Fedotov, the head of the Russian presidential Human Rights Council, has appealed to Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Valeria Lutkovkska to help free Russian military servicemen captured near Donetsk.

28.08.2014 Court Rejects Appeal against Prosecutor’s Warning

The judge thinks that one month’s term to appeal against prosecutorial warning already expired; the journalist disagrees.

28.08.2014 Belarus violated right to peaceful assembly against UCP activist in Homel, says UN Human Rights Committee

The UN Human Rights Committee has said that the Belarusian authorities violated the right of the deputy chairman of the United Civil Party (UCP) Vasil Paliakou to peaceful assembly, by banning in September 2008 a mass event aimed to urge citizens not to take part in the parliamentary elections, which took place on September 28, 2008.

28.08.2014 Brest Regional Court dismisses appeal by Baranavichy activist

On August 27, Judge Natallia Surma of the Brest Regional Court dismissed the cassation appeal lodged by activist Mikalai Charnavus against an earlier ruling by the district court of Baranavichy of July 21, which found the individual entrepreneur guilty of violating Article 23.34, Part 3 of the Administrative Code – organization and holding an unauthorized meeting at the local market on July 1.

28.08.2014 Vitsebsk authorities ban picket set to mark Lukashenka’s birthday

A request for the event was submitted to the Kastrychnitski district administration of Vitsebsk by local blogger Ihar Pastnou, famous for his criticism of health care officials. He fulfilled all the requirements that are prescribed by the decision of the City Executive Committee “On Mass Events in Vitsebsk”, but failed to receive permission.

28.08.2014 BCD activist sentenced to 5 days of arrest for distribution of newspapers

The Kastrychnitski District Court of Minsk considered yesterday an administrative case against an activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, Andrei Kasheuski. Transport police officers charged him with two offenses, including distribution of newspapers, which they viewed as an unauthorized mass event (Art. 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).