The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

25.09.2013 EEAS official: Release and rehabilitation of political prisoners remain necessary condition for normalization of Belarus-EU relations

Minsk, 24 September. The release and rehabilitation of political prisoners remain a necessary and indispensable condition for the normalization of relations between Belarus and the European Union, Gunnar Wiegand, the European External Action Service (EEAS)’s director for Russia, the Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and the OSCE, told reporters in Minsk on Tuesday, following his meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Alena Kupchyna.

25.09.2013 Political prisoner Prakapenka denied meeting

Artsiom Prakapenka was denied of a long-term meeting with his parents.

25.09.2013 Viasna clarifies information concerning Vasil Parfiankou’s case

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" received today additional information about the circumstances of a civil case against Vasil Parfiankou, as a result of which he was placed in an activity therapy center (so called medical and labor dispensary).

25.09.2013 Belarusian musicians: Yes to Punishment, No to Death Penalty

Belarusian rock musicians are preparing for the launch of the new joint project Aposhni Zolak (“The Last Dawn”). Its participants told TUT.BY about the problems of society, crime and punishment, the value of life, lifting the veil of secrecy over the contents of the long-awaited project.

25.09.2013 Slonim authorities ban picket to hold sports event

On September 10, leader of the Slonim coalition of pro-democratic forces Ivan Sheha filed an application to the district executive committee asking for permission to hold a picket on September 28. The event was expected to be attended by some 40 people.

24.09.2013 The Observatory: Belarus: Confiscation of copies of a book written by Mr. Ales Bialiatski

The Observatory was informed of the confiscation of 40 copies of a book titled Enlightened by Belarusianness ("Asvechanyia Belaruschunai"), written by Mr. Ales Bialiatski, President of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) Viasna and FIDH Vice-President, who is serving 4,5 years' imprisonment in relation to his human rights activities, after they were considered as potentially damaging the image of the country. The 455-pages book is a digest of literary articles and essays on Belarusian literature, and also features four texts written by Mr. Bialiatski behind bars.

24.09.2013 Priests discuss death penalty

The issue of the death penalty is discussed in Minsk by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant ministers. Even priests have a lot to discuss, says Yulia Khlashchankova, representative of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, in her comment for Radio Free Europe’s Belarus service.

24.09.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich: Medical and labour centre is prison without court decision

Belarus is the only country that has medical and labour centres.

24.09.2013 Send birthday wishes to Ales Bialiatski!

Ales Bialiatski, the imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" and vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights, will celebrate his 51st birthday on September 25. Since August 4, 2011, the human rights defender has been behind bars, first in the detention center in Minsk, and eventually in the Babruisk-based penal colony No. 2.

24.09.2013 Hrodna court confirms picket ban

Judge Zhanna Krauchanka of Hrodna Leninski District Court upheld yesterday a ban on holding a picket in support of Ales Bialiatski, following two and a half hours of examination of a complaint lodged by local human rights defenders, Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Raman Yurhel, to challenge the decision of the city executive committee.

24.09.2013 Ihar Alinevich marks 30th birthday

The political prisoner celebrates his birthday behind bars.

24.09.2013 Judge lifts all restrictions on Poczobut's freedom

A judge of the Leninski District Court in Hrodna on September 23 lifted all restrictions on the freedom of journalist Andrzej Poczobut.

23.09.2013 Sister of inmate who died in prison appeals detention for memorial rally

Iryna Miranovich, the sister of Ihar Ptsichkin, an inmate of the Minsk-based detention center No. 1 who died under uncertain circumstances while serving an arrest, considers illegal her detention for involvement in a picket staged to commemorate her late brother.

23.09.2013 Homel pro-dem activists demand to institute criminal proceedings for unlawful detention

Homel opposition activist Uladzimir Katsora filed today a statement to the Regional Prosecutor’s Office and head of the internal affairs department of Homel regional executive committee to report on a criminal offense allegedly committed by police officers. In his statement, the politician says that on September 22 traffic police stopped a private minibus with delegates of a national conference for the creation of a coalition "For Honest and Fair Elections for the Sake of a Better Life."

23.09.2013 Minsk City Court orders reinvestigation of charges against National Bolshevik activist

Judge Valery Kamisarau of Minsk City Court ruled today to send the administrative case of Yauhen Kontush, activist of the National Bolshevik movement, for reinvestigation, finding the previous verdict of Minsk’s Tsentralny District Court illegal.