29.11.2013 Minsk City Court rejects Uladzimir Labkovich’s cassation appeal
The cassation appeal by member of the Board of the HRC "Viasna" Uladzimir Labkovich against a ruling by the Court of Minsk’s Savetski district of October 8, which punished the human rights defender by a fine of 3.9 million rubles, was considered by the Minsk City Court on November 19. The consideration of the complaint took place without the participation of Labkovich, as he only received the notification on November 23.
29.11.2013 Assaulter of UCP Kalinkavichy activist goes unpunished
On November 28, the Court of Kalinkavichy district heard the charges brought against a local resident who attacked United Civil Party activist Dzianis Rabianok, spraying pepper gas into his eyes in April 2013. As a result, the activist’s eyes were burnt and he had to seek medical aid.
29.11.2013 Biaroza human rights defenders appeal picket ban to Brest Regional Court
Biaroza human rights defenders are appealing the ruling of the district court who sided with the executive committee in banning a rally that was planned for October 10. They sent their appeal to the Brest Regional Court.
28.11.2013 Trial of Vasil Parfiankou postponed over procedural irregularities
The Court of Minsk’s Pershamaiski district considered opened today the hearing of criminal charges brought against former political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou. He is accused of violating the rules of preventive police supervision (Article 421 of the Criminal Code). The case is considered by Judge Leanid Yarmolenkau.
28.11.2013 Leanid Sudalenka: “An ignorant person can say that we are "protecting murderers.” It's not true.”
Homel lawyer Leanid Sudalenka, who prepared a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee on behalf of death convict Aliaksandr Hrunou as part of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty in Belarus”, in an interview for the dp.spring96.org website talks about the inefficiency of the death penalty as punishment.
28.11.2013 Baranavichy human rights defender appeals fine to Supreme Court Chairman
Human rights defender Siarhei Housha filed a complaint with Chairman of the Supreme Court Valiantsin Sukala to challenge a decision by the Court of Baranavichy and Baranavichy district of August 21, 2012 to fine him 1.5 mln rubles. The charges stemmed from a statement by head of Baranavichy district election commission Tatsiana Latyshava in which she claimed that the human rights defender insulted her and swore at the commission members.
27.11.2013 Minsk court partially acquits entrepreneur
As a result of reconsidering the administrative case of Viachaslau Pilipuk at the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk on November 26, the entrepreneur was acquitted on one of the charges.
27.11.2013 Investigative Committee urged to open criminal case for “chlorine torture” in Mahiliou prison
Liudmila Kuchura, whose husband is serving a sentence in penal colony No. 15 in Mahiliou, told the Human Rights Center "Viasna" that the pressure used against the convict poses a serious threat to his health.
27.11.2013 Vitsebsk doctor Ihar Pastnou: Law on psychiatric care contrary to Constitution
Vitsebsk doctor Ihar Pastnou sent an application to the Constitutional Court urging the supreme judicial body to assess certain provisions of the Law "On psychiatric Care”. Ihar Pastnou believes that the law is unconstitutional, as it legitimizes violations of patients' rights.
27.11.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich petitions Constitutional Court over language discrimination
Valiantsin Stefanovich, Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court to highlight the issue of discrimination on linguistic grounds, as there is virtually no lawmaking in the Belarusian language. This complicates the process of protecting the interests of Belarusian-speaking citizens in courts and other state bodies.
27.11.2013 Belarusian authorities deny visa to Civil Rights Defenders’ Robert Hårdh
Robert Hårdh, Executive Director of the Swedish human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders, was denied entry to Belarus. The decision was taken on November 5. However, this became known only now, when the human rights defender posted on his Facebook account a photo of his passport stamped by the Belarusian embassy.
26.11.2013 Independent journalists detained in Hlubokaye
Journalists Viachaslau Piashko and Anastasija Reznikava were taken to a police department and interrogated.
26.11.2013 Volha Haidukova: Andrei jailed for nothing, it's most painful thing
The mother of political prisoner Andrei Haidukou hopes her son will be granted early release.
26.11.2013 Slutsk activist complains about disruption of gathering by police
Zinaida Tsimoshak, organizer of the screening of a movie about the Slutsk anti-Bolshevik armed uprising of 1920, was charged with organizing an unsanctioned event. The activist is going to challenge the actions of the police.
26.11.2013 OSCE/ODIHR Director says Ales Bialiatski should be released
WARSAW, 25 November 2013 - Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today reminded the Belarusian authorities of previous calls by OSCE Chairpersons-in-Office for the release of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, who was found guilty on tax-evasion charges in 2011, and added his voice to theirs, calling Bialiatski’s case a violation of OSCE commitments.
