The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

Babruisk: Kanstantsin Loktseu's boss collects signatures for his dismissal

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:46:37 +0300

This autumn Mr. Loktseu was punished with arrest for the organization of a People's Assembky in Babruisk. After this he started facing trouble at work, especially after his brass was visited by the KGB. The administration lost its patience after he tried to establish a primary unit of the Independent Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry at work.

Mahiliou: members of building trust #12 intimidated by strange commission

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:45:55 +0300

Officers of the Mahiliou City Executive Committee pay visits to the dwellers of hostel in Budaunikou Street 7 who signed the appeal of civil activist Aliaksei Paulouski, threatening them with negative consequences.

Soviet of the Republic: Article 193-1 “protects universally accepted human rights and fundamental freedoms”

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:44:48 +0300

The Soviet of the Republic sees no need to initiate the abolishment of Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, which penalizes activities on behalf of organizations that are not registered with the state.

Minsk City Court to consider Stefanovich's appeal on 13 February

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:43:46 +0300

The cassation appeal of Valiantsin Stefanovich against the ruling concerning the exaction of the allegedly non-paid taxes from him will be considered by the Minsk City Court on 13 February. The hearings start at 3 p.m.

Vitsebsk: wife received letter from Siarhei Kavalenka with two-week delay

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:24:20 +0300

In the Vitsebsk pre-trial prison Alena Kavalenka was assured that there were no delays with the sending of letters and they were checked within the legally allowed term, three days. However, on 1 February she received a letter dated 17 January. In this letter the hunger-striker Siarhei Kavalenka wrote that he was subject to forced feeding.

Salihorsk authorities continue banning street actions

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:19:15 +0300

The Salihorsk authorities have recently banned six events organized by the local civil and political activists. The formal reason in all cases is alleged violation of Article 8 of the Law “On Mass Events” - placement of information about the actions on the web before their authorization.

Minsk: court sides with Belarusian TV

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:35:08 +0300

On 1 February 1 Anastasiya Rahacheuskaya, judge of the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk, issued a verdict on the lawsuit of a resident of Homel, activist of the Movement "For Freedom" Aliaksandr Pratsko. He filed an appeal against the Belarusian State TV and Radio Company as a representative of his daughter who is currently serving a prison term.

Tatsiana Seviarynets asks procuracy to inspect tuberculosis hospital

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:15:48 +0300

Tatsiana Seviarynets, a coordinator of the steering committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party (BCD), applied to the Vitsebsk Regional Procuracy with the request to hold a check-up at the Vitsebsk regional tuberculosis hospital in the settlement of Bahusheusk. According to her information, rights of patients are violated there. In particular, they are threatened with repressions for any complaints about the conditions and medical treatment.

Under-aged Lobau fined for spilling noodles at the entrance of Belarusian State TV and Radio Company

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:53:20 +0300

The Maskouski district administrative commission of Minsk considered the case of Uladzislau Lobau, an under-aged activist of the Belarusian National-Bolshevik Party who took part in spilling noodles and scattering leaflets at the entrance of the Belarusian State TV and Radio Company on 3 December 2011. The youngsters did it to express their protest against false information regularly spread by the state media.

Picket in support of Ales Bialiatski held in Stockholm

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:34:15 +0300

A picket in support of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski and other political prisoners in Belarus was held near the Belarusian Embassy in Stockholm on 31 January. It was organized by the Swedish human rights initiative Östgruppen in cooperation with Civil Rights Defenders, the Swedish branch of Amnesty International and the Swedish Union of Writers.