News on the topic: freedom of association
06.09.2007 Youth Activist Yaraslau Hryshchenia’s Father Threatened with Firing
Human Rights Center Viasna learned that Yaraslau Hryshchenia’s father Siarhei Hryshchenia had been summonsed to the ideology department of Baranavichy plant of constructions and construction details at which he headed a working brigade. The authorities proposed to him to quit the job, because he was a member of an independent trade union and it was incompatible with his position at the plant. Hryshchenia is not a member of any trade union and has a working contract till 2009, but in the case he refuses to leave the job on his own will, the administration threatens to fire him. It is an evident case of pressurization of a person, whose son actively struggles for democratic transformations in Belarus.
06.09.2007 Niasvizh: Criminal Trial against Nasta Azarka Ends with Fine. Detentions outside Court
On 4 September in Niasvizh a Young Front activist Anastasia Azarka was fined 1 240 000 Belarusian rubles (about 600 US dollars). The verdict was issued by judge Maryia Dunayeva. The youth activist was charged with activities on behalf of an unregistered organisation (article 193.1 of the Criminal Code). The prosecutor demanded to fine her 500 15 500 000 Belarusian rubles (about 7 200 US dollars).
06.09.2007 Salihorsk: Criminal Trial over Ivan Shyla Is Accompanied with Detentions and Imprisonments
On 4 September trials over the Young Front activists Ivan Shyla and Nasta Azarka took place in Salihorsk and Niasvizh. The activists were charged under article 193.1 of the Criminal Code (activities on behalf of unregistered organization). Dozens of people gathered near the courts to support the youth activists.
03.09.2007 Opposition Activists Establish Belarusian Christian Democracy
On 1 September a group of opposition activists held a founding conference for an association named Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) in Minsk on Saturday, BelaPAN reported.
03.09.2007 Observatory for Protection of Human Rights Defenders Condemns Non-registration of ‘Viasna’
Paris-Geneva, August 31, 2007. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), expresses its deepest concern regarding the refusal of the Belarusian authorities to re-register the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”, on August 28, 2007, in violation of a communication of the United Nations Human Rights Committee issued at the end of July 2007.
30.08.2007 Five and One Reasons Not to Register Human Rights Association ‘Viasna’
The founders of the human rights public association ‘Viasna’ have finally received an official letter of the Ministry of Justice ‘On refusal of state registration for the public association’. There are several reasons that have been invented by the officials for the refusal.
30.08.2007 Trial of Young Front Activist Yaraslau Hryshchenia to Take Place on 10 September
On 29 August the youth activist Yaraslau Hryshchenia received a summons from Baranavichy district court. According to this document the trial will start at 9.30 a.m. on 10 September. The name of the judge is not known yet. Hryshchenia is charged under article 193.1 of the Criminal Code, ‘activities on behalf of unregistered organization’. On 4 September the Young Front activists Ivan Shyla and Nasta Azarka will be tried: the former in Salihorsk and the latter – in Niasvizh.
28.08.2007 Justice Ministry Refuses to Register ‘Viasna’
According to the official site of the Ministry of Justice, ‘the charter of the association does not comply with the law of the Republic Belarus on public associations’.
28.08.2007 Homel Police Detain Participants of Meeting with Pastor Sabila
On 26 August in Homel several civil society activists were seized by the police at a meeting with the pastor of an outlawed Protestant church Ernest Sabila. The pastor of the Belarusian Evangelic Church came to the city to meet with members of the Frantsishak Skaryna Belarusian Language Society. Held at the city`s office of the United Civic Party, the meeting was attended by about 20 people.
24.08.2007 Ministry of Justice Officials Hide from HR Activists
The organizing committee for creation of the public human rights association Viasna can’t get acquainted with the resolution of the ministry of justice on the organization registration though the deadline of the resolution making was 23 August.
24.08.2007 International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Reminds Justice Ministry of Belarus about Legal Term for Deciding on ‘Viasna’ Registration
Here's the text of an open letter of the FIDH to the Minister of Justice Viktar Halavanau.
24.08.2007 Amnesty International Expresses Its Concern with Persecution of Youth Activists in Belarus
Amnesty International is deeply concerned by reports that the harassment, detention and imprisonment of youth activists by the Belarusian authorities has intensified in recent weeks. The organization believes that the clampdown forms part of the government’s continuing attempts to intimidate and obstruct youth activists, and civil society as a whole, from exercising their rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression.
23.08.2007 Trial of ‘Young Front’ Activist Ivan Shyla Appointed on 4 September
At 10 a.m. on 4 September Salihorsk town court will consider a criminal case against the activist of an unregistered organization Young Front Ivan Shyla. 16-year-old Shyla is charged with activity on behalf of unregistered organization (article 193.1 of the Criminal Code).
22.08.2007 Consideration of Criminal Case against Young Front Activist Nasta Azarka Appointed on 4 September
HRC Viasna learned that on 4 September Niasvizh district court will consider the criminal case against the Young Front activist Nasta Azarka. The case was brought under article 193.1 (activity on behalf of unregistered organization).
21.08.2007 Human Rights Activists Meet with First Deputy Minister of Justice Aliaksandr Petrash
On 21 August the human rights activists Ales Bialiatski, Uladzimir Labkovich and Valiantsin Stefanovich had a personal audience with the first deputy minister of Justice Aliaksandr Petrash. First of all, they were interested in the process of registration of the human rights NGO Viasna. Bear in mind that on 23 July the initiative group of human rights activists filed with the Ministry of Justice a packet of documents for registration of the public human rights association Viasna and in two days the Ministry of Justice must announce its decision.
