News on the topic: journalists
08.01.2009 Hrodna: detention and search of Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Viktar Sazonau
Human rights activist Viktar Sazonau and journalist Uladzimir Khilmanovich were detained at the railway station in Hrodna.
15.12.2008 Vitsebsk: unlawful placement to psychiatric hospital
On 11 December 15-year-old schoolboy Maxim Andreyeu was placed to the closed department of Vitsebsk oblast psychiatric hospital athwart his will and without parents’ agreement. On 12 December he was proposed sign in the anamnesis (allegedly that he is already 15 years old). As it was found later, he signed under ‘agreement to placement in the psychiatric hospital).
10.12.2008 Belarus celebrates 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: about 30 detentions
Celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration in Belarus was marked with mass (and in some cases, quite rude) detentions of human rights defenders and civil activists.
10.12.2008 Hrodna: detention of journalist Ivan Roman
On 10 December in Hrodna the police detained independent journalist Ivan Roman and guarded him to Leninski district police department. The detention took place while he was implementing his professional duties at an action of the local human rights activists, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The journalist showed to the policemen his badge, but it did not stop them.
10.12.2008 National Human Rights Award 2008
The organizing committee of Charter’97 determined nominees for National Human Rights Award 2008. Prize For Personal Courage is given to Alexander Barazenka, Andrei Kim, Siarhei Parsiukevich, and Halina Yubko. Yuliya Darashkevich won in the nomination For Defence of Freedom of Speech Principles.
10.12.2008 Hrodna: arrest of human rights activists
Human rights activists of Hrodna organized a street action dedicated to the 60th anniversary of proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Members of human rights organizations were distributing UDHR texts among Hrodna dwellers.
02.12.2008 Astravets: police detain civil activists on the way to nuclear power station building site
The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka, a journalist Vadzim Kaznacheyeu and a leader of the youth wing of the UCP, ‘Young Democrats’, Alexander Serhiyenka, have been detained in Astravets.
24.11.2008 Independent newspapers distributors and journalists detained in Hrodna
23 November in Hrodna the police detained several activists who were distributing Nasha Niva and Nasha Slova independent newspapers. Besides, journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mikola Markievich, who watched the action, were also detained.
27.10.2008 “Borisovskiye Novosti” Facing a Defamation Case
The «Borisovskiye Novosti» newspaper editorial has received a court claim from Viera Pratasievich, the local state-owned «Adzinstva» newspaper’s Editor-in-chief. (It should be mentioned that the periodical has been founded by Barysau District Executive Committee.)
24.10.2008 “Gazeta Wyborcza” Journalist Accredited at the Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Andrei Pachobut, an independent journalist from Hrodna has received a temporary accreditation at the Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a correspondent of «Gazeta Wyborcza» daily, published in Poland.
20.10.2008 Journalist Vieranika Charkasava Assassinated Four Years Ago
Four years have passed since the time Vieranika Charkasava was cruelly murdered in her private apartment on October 20th. The legal investigation cannot find anything new on the case. It has been suspended for more than a year already. The latest suspension was announced "for the lack of the person that could be charged as the accused" in February 2007.
08.10.2008 Procuracy forwards journalists to KGB
Recently Aliaksei Bely, member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, has received an answer from the procuracy of Minsk to his request for returning his property that had been confiscated as a result of a search on 27-28 March in his apartment, as well as in apartments and offices of many other journalists. The official reason for the search was a criminal case that had been brought in 2005 for defamation of the president by distribution of political cartoons on the web.
27.09.2008 Zhanna Litvina: A Laureate of Ebert Foundation on Human Rights Award
As it has become known recently, Ms. Zhanna Litvina, Chairperson of Belarusian Association of Journalists will receive Ebert Foundation on Human Rights Award in 2008. "Freedom of speech in an inseparable part if civil liberties and human rights. In case of its absence all other human rights appear under threat. Therefore the main objective of BAJ is to do everything possible in order to defend freedom of speech. The awarding proves true that out efforts have certain effect", Zhanna Litvina noted in her interview to the BAJ Press Service.
15.09.2008 Extremism charges against newspaper of Union of Poles in Belarus
On 12 September journalist Andzhei Pisalnik received a writ to Kastrychnitski district court of Hrodna for 18 September.
09.09.2008 Andrei Bastunets was questioned concerning 4 July blast
The deputy head of the Belarusian association of Journalists, lawyer Andrei Bastunets was questioned concerning the explosion that had taken place on 4 July in Minsk. On 7 August he received a telephone call from Leninski police department of Minsk and invited to come and answer some questions concerning the explosion. Mr. Bastunets did not insist on receiving a summons and came to the police on 8 September at the specified time.
