The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

12.08.2014 KGB wants to know medical secrets of Belarusian citizens

The corresponding document was published by the blogger d-zholik.

12.08.2014 Court declares decisions of Ministry of Culture non-appealable

The Civil Division of the Minsk City Court quashed the decision of the trial court and stopped the trial in the construction of automobile and pedestrian bridge on the protected territory of the Brest Fortress.

12.08.2014 Biaroza activists intend to hold a picket marking legal confirmation of Belarus' state sovereignty

Biaroza human rights defenders applied for a picket. They implemented all legal requirements mentioned in an appropriate regulation of the Biaroza District Executive Committee.

12.08.2014 “Alternative” leader sentenced to ten days of arrest

Aleh Korban, the leader of the public association, has been sentenced to ten days of arrest by the Frunzenski District Court of Minsk.

12.08.2014 Statement of human rights activist Intiqam Aliyev, arrested in Baku

This statement was drafted and distributed by the lawyer Anar Qasimli after a meeting with Intiqam Aliyev in the pretrial detention center in Baku on August 9.

12.08.2014 Vitsebskers take action to congratulate Mikalai Statkevich on his birthday

This night several dozens of posters with the demand to release Mikalai Statkevich have been posted all over Vitsebsk. This is the way his Vitsebsk sympathizers decided to congratulate him on his 58th birthday and remind the public about the existence of political prisoners in Belarus, one of whom Mr. Statkevich currently is.

12.08.2014 Shklou authorities ignore citizens' appeals

August 11, Ryhor Kastusiou personally applied to the Shklou District Prosecutor's Office against the actions of the officials of the local executive committee, which do not fulfill the law on appeals of citizens.

OSCE representative calls on Ukrainian authorities to drop legislative provisions endangering media freedom and free flow of information

12.08.2014 OSCE representative calls on Ukrainian authorities to drop legislative provisions endangering media freedom and free flow of information

VIENNA, 12 August 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović expressed her concern about a draft law on sanctions registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 8 August and approved in the first reading today.

12.08.2014 Baranavichy human rights defenders congratulate Mikalai Statkevich on his birthday

Baranavichy human rights defenders and social activists have sent the political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich a congratulatory telegram on his birthday. They wished the ex-presidential candidate, who is now serving a term in prison No. 4 in Mahilioupatience, fortitude, faith, and hope, and a quick release from jail.

12.08.2014 Homel human rights activist didn't manage to make post office use Belarusian language

Homel human rights activist, member of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee Viktar Adzinochanka received a response to his appeal to the Prosecutor General on the implementation of the right to use his native Belarusian language in post documentation.

12.08.2014 Political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich celebrates 58th birthday

The politician and candidate in the 2010 presidential election has been behind bars for the last 3.5 years. Mikalai Statkevich hasn't losen his optimism and closely watches events in Belarus and the neighbouring countries despite strict confinement conditions and provocations from the authorities of the Mahilou prison.

11.08.2014 Azerbaijan: Intiqam Aliyev appeals his arrest

Another authoritative Azerbaijani human rights activist, was arrested in Baku on 8 August. Intiqam Aliyev is the head of the Legal Education Society, whose activity was checked within the framework of a criminal case against local and foreign NGOs.

11.08.2014 Biaroza human rights activists seek amendment of regulation on mass events

Biaroza human rights defenders T. Shchapiotkina and Siarhei Rusetski have been struggling with Biaroza District Executive Committee for almost a year, trying to exercise their civil right to picketing, one of the obstacles to which is the regulation of the executive committee on mass events, adopted back in 2009.

11.08.2014 Judge Motyl: “I know you plead guilty”

Human rights defenders learned the details of the secret detention of the activist of “Alternative” Aleh Keral on August 5.

11.08.2014 UN Secretary-General urges all interested parties to lasting and peaceful political solution to conflict in eastern Ukraine

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in parts of eastern Ukraine. Innocent civilians trapped in the fighting continue to lose their lives. The number of those who are fleeing the area continues to grow. Restoring vital infrastructure, not least for water and sanitation, is essential for a return to normal life.