25.08.2014 Baranavichy human rights defender: city authorities lie on reasons for picket ban
Human rights defender Siarhei Housha has received a reply from the Baranavichy City Executive Committee, signed by the Deputy Chairman Dzmitry Kastsiukevich, to his letter, in which he asked to specify the reason for the ban on a picket scheduled for July 27.
25.08.2014 Nino Katamadze considers death penalty an important negative point in Belarus
The world-known Georgian jazz-rock singer, leader of the band “Inside” told it tut.by while speaking about her likes and dislikes in Belarus.
25.08.2014 Lawyer allowed to visit political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou
Vasil Parfiankou’s counsel has been allowed to visit the political prisoner in the Horki penal colony and is going to see him in the near future. Obtaining such permission was difficult, Radio Liberty’s Belarus service reports.
25.08.2014 Belarusian activists detained on Russian border
On August 23, the Russian border guards detained several representatives of Belarusian pro-democracy movements and parties, who were going to the Katyn to mark the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Stalinism, which is celebrated on August 23.
25.08.2014 Dismissed trade union leader protects rights in court
The Polatsk District Court has refused to consider a lawsuit lodged by trade union activists Viktar Stukau against his former employer, JSC “Polatsk-Shklovalakno”. The lawsuit urging to eliminate employment discrimination came after fresh evidence appeared in the activist’s conflict with the major state-owned enterprise. Earlier, the court refused to consider Viktar Stukau’s complaint in March 2013.
25.08.2014 Biaroza human rights activists denied right to stage picket
On August 22, human rights defenders in the town of Biaroza were not allowed to stage a picket, which was scheduled for August 25. The event was expected to mark 23 since the bill on the Declaration of Independence acquired a constitutional status, as well as to protest against the deployment of Russian military bases on the territory of Belarus and to demand release of political prisoners.
25.08.2014 Human Rights Watch: Marking Ukrainian Independence Day with a Laws-of-War Violation
Armed men with bayonet-equipped automatic rifles parade several dozen captured soldiers, their hands tied behind their backs, through the streets among crowds shouting “fascists” and other insults. Behind the parade, three cleaning trucks “cleanse” the streets where the detainees just walked.
25.08.2014 In Ukraine, UN relief chief pledges support for political, aid, rebuilding efforts
The top United Nations relief official told reporters in Ukraine today, that while the situation in Sloviansk has improved, the UN is still concerned about the ongoing impact of the crisis and plans to support the Government's efforts towards political talks, scaling up the humanitarian response, and ensuring long-term rehabilitation of infrastructure.
22.08.2014 “Have you ever wondered how much sorrow has the twenty years of your office brought to the citizens of this country?”
Liudmila Kuchura has sent her petition to Aliaksandr Lukashenka to congratulate him on the 20th anniversary of his presidency, recalling that, thanks to his “parental care”, her husband Piotr Kuchura has already served ten years for a crime he did not commit.
22.08.2014 Minsk City Court dismisses appeal by Kurapaty campaigners
The Minsk City Court has dismissed an appeal by a group of activists campaigning for the preservation of the Kurapaty memorial, Radio Racyja reports. The City Court thus upheld the decision of the Tsentralny District Court. The authors tried to force the Prosecutor General's Office to implement its earlier order to remove all objects that were illegally built in the territory of the Stalin repressions memorial.
22.08.2014 Report on discrimination and inequality in Belarus detained at border
Report prepared by the Equal Rights Trust and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee has been detained at the border and is awaiting an examination by the Department of Smuggling. Meanwhile, human rights activists have received a letter from the Office of the President saying that the information contained in the report has been “taken into consideration”.
21.08.2014 Girl films officials stealing cabbages, gets beaten
The girl was taken to hospital with a double arm fracture, brain concussion and other injuries, nn.by reports referring to human rights defender Tatstsyana Ravyaka.
21.08.2014 Former candidate complains to UN about absence of justice
Mikalai Novikau, activist of the United Civil Party and former candidate for the Homel Regional Council, has not been able to sue the JSC “Palesdruk”, which refused to print his campaign flyers during the last local elections. The UCP activist is now seeking to protect his rights in the UN Human Rights Committee, where he has submitted a personal complaint.
21.08.2014 Police justify discrimination against Roma in media by crime prevention
On August 20, Homel human rights defenders Ales Yauseyenka and Maryia Klimovich received a reply to their complaint submitted to the police department of the Homel regional executive committee about the discrimination of Roma in the media.
21.08.2014 Police side with attacker in Homel incident
The Tsentralny district police department of Homel issued another refusal to initiate a criminal investigation into the attack on the house of local opposition activist Kanstantsin Zhukouski. On May 2, his private house was attacked by unknown persons, who were apparently outraged by a Ukrainian flag hoisted on the roof as a sign of solidarity with the neighboring country.
