The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

29.01.2013 Belarusian Wall (video)

A short movie was posted on the internet about the Belarusian politically imprisoned anarchists.

29.01.2013 Iryna Khalip applies for leaving Belarus

Iryna Khalip asks permission to leave for the UK and Russia.

29.01.2013 The parliament will toughen the law on political parties

The House of Representatives will examine amendments to the laws on political parties and public associations.

29.01.2013 Human rights defenders petition President to demand unbiased assessment of police-related violence case

The private cultural and educational institution “Platforma Innovation” addressed President Aliaksandr Lukashenka with an open letter, demanding an unbiased and fair investigation into the case of alleged beating a guard of a Minsk-based parking lot Vasil Sarochyk by policemen, the BelaPAN news agency reports.

29.01.2013 Brest activists campaign for return to practice of public debate

The Brest-based “Humanitarny Most” (“Humanitarian Bridge”) cultural and educational association supports calls by other non-government organizations to secure the right of citizens to participate in decision-making relating to the development and improvement of towns and cities.

29.01.2013 Svislach activists submit complaints to UN Human Rights Committee

Viktar Dzesiatsik and Anatol Valiuk, civil society activists from the town of Svislach, Hrodna region, have submitted complaints to the UN Human Rights Committee to demand unbiased consideration of their cases ignored by Belarusian courts.

29.01.2013 Siarhei Malashenka fined 2.5 mln for solidarity with Bialiatski

Navapolatsk Town Court sentenced today local pro-democratic activist Siarhei Malashenka to a fine of 2.5 mln rubles. It was another sentence for an action staged by local activists, who following the example of Hrodna human rights defenders, took pictures with portraits of Ales Bialiatski in their hands. After the photos of Yauhen Parchynski and Siarhei Malashenka were posted online, both were charged with illegal picketing.

29.01.2013 Viasna activists express solidarity with Hrodna colleagues

Representatives of the central office of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” have held an action of solidarity with Hrodna human rights defenders – Viasna members Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Belarusian Helsinki Committee activist Raman Yurhel – to express their support ahead of today’s consideration of an appeal against an absurd ruling by Hrodna Leninski District Court.

28.01.2013 Belarus still ignores decisions by UN Human Rights Committee

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refused to recognize another decision by the UN Human Rights Committee, says Vitsebsk human rights defender Pavel Levinau, who urged the Foreign Ministry to inform him when the officials would implement the Committee’s decision on his complaint, adopted at the 105th session of the Committee in July 2012.

28.01.2013 Ongoing harassment of independent trade union activists at Granite enterprise

Siarhei Katsuba, driver at the “Granite” state-owned enterprise, is urged to leave the independent trade union, Radio Racyja reports. Katsuba said that if he did not leave the union, he might lose his job.

28.01.2013 Dzieciuki concert banned in Minsk

A possible reason for the ban is an interview with charter97.org website.

28.01.2013 Mahiliou court upholds picket ban

The Court of Mahiliou Leninski District dismissed today a lawsuit brought by Uladzimir Shantsau, local leader of the United Civil Party, to challenge a ban on holding a picket imposed by the city executive committee.

28.01.2013 UN Human Rights Committee expects measures taken in Kavaliou’s case

Mrs. Liubou Kavaliova, the mother of Uladzislau Kavaliou executed in March 2012, received a communication from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights saying that the UN officials are expecting information from the Belarusian government on measures taken to implement the Human Rights Committee’s decision in her son’s case. The information should be submitted by July 3, 2013.

25.01.2013 Compulsory subscription to Sovetskaya Belorussia newspaper at Babushkina Krynka factory

Employees of Bykhau-based branch of Babushkina Krynka dairy factory were made to subscribe to Sovetskaya Belorussia newspaper.

25.01.2013 BAJ Petitions to Change Media Law in Belarus

On January 22 Zhanna Litvina and Andrei Bastunets referred BAJ’s recommendations on the “Law on mass media” to representatives of the National Assembly.