News on the topic: human rights defenders
14.09.2015 Ales Bialiatski takes part in Forum 2000 in Prague
In his speech at the opening of the 19th annual conference that is traditionally held with an emphasis on human rights, the head of the HRC “Viasna” criticized the present “pretended democracy” in Belarus.
11.09.2015 "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections": Authorities use selective approach to electoral campaign
September 11, a press-conference of the campaign "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections" on the occasion of completion of three important stages of organizational measures on preparation and holding of elections, which actually make up half of the election campaign, took place at the office of the HRC "Viasna".
11.09.2015 Supreme Court to consider Mikhail Zhabchuzhny's complaint on October 6
The consideration of the appeal will begin at 9.30 a.m. on October 6. This was reported by the founder of the cultural-educational institution "Platform Innovation” in a letter to the human rights activist Leanid Svetsik. On July 10, Mr. Zhamchuzhny was sentenced to six years in a high-security correctional facility. In his letters he emphasizes that the verdict is politcally motivated.
11.09.2015 Report on monitoring of the picket "For Fair and Free Elections" in Minsk on September 10
The picket of September 10, 2015 was of peaceful nature. The absence of an application for holding the mass event, as required by law, is not a reason to limit the freedom of peaceful assembly.
10.09.2015 Ales Bialiatski: death penalty is ineffective in crime prevention
Ales Bialiatski is a former political prisoner, Chairman of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", who has served 2.5 years in the Babrujsk correctional colony. During his imprisonment he watched prisoners serving their sentences, including for murder.
09.09.2015 Human Rights House Network celebrates its 20th anniversary
The International Human Rights House Network celebrates its 20th anniversary. The festivities with the participation of the Belarusian human rights defenders and representatives of non-governmental organizations are taking place these days are in Oslo.
09.09.2015 Human rights activists meet with PACE delegation
September 8, representatives of Belarusian human rights organizations had a meeting with a delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) at the office of the EU Mission in Minsk.
08.09.2015 Aliaksei Mikhalevich detained on Belarusian border and released under “non-leave recognizance” (updated)
As learned by the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, this morning a former presidential candidate in 2010, Aliaksei Mikhalevich, has been detained while crossing the border by train Vilnius-Minsk.
08.09.2015 Zhana Ptsishkina cannot get acquainted with resolution of Prosecutor General's Office regarding son's death
The mother of Ihar Ptsichkin, who died in prison in Valadarski Street in Minsk on August 4, 2013, has been seeking justice for a long time already, trying to establish the circumstances of the death of her son and bring to justice those guilty of the tragedy.
08.09.2015 Tajik opposition activist Shabnam Khudoydodova, detained in Brest, is still in jail
This was reported by human rights activist Raman Kisliak, who reminded that the citizen of Tajikistan had been detained at the central railway station of Brest during the border control, while going to Poland.
08.09.2015 Are obliged persons second-class citizens?
The list of the limitation of the rights of so-called “obliged persons” – those who are obliged to reimburse the costs of upbringing of their children in certain cases (if the children are taken from them on decision of the Commission on Juvenile Affairs without deprivation of parental rights; deprivation of parental rights; their placement in activity-therapy centers, remand prisons) is quite extensive.
08.09.2015 What restrictions can be imposed on former political prisoners
After the release of six political prisoners there have been voiced many opinions as to which restrictions that may be imposed on them, since they all have outstanding convictions. Here we offer an explanation, given by the lawyer Pavel Sapelka for the website palitviazni.info.
04.09.2015 Leanid Sudalenka: They are looking in the wrong place! Let's inspect those who sell cottages at 1.5 million dollars instead
The authorities continue pressurizing the human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka. The tax authorities require from the Independent Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry an income statement of their lawyer for the last seven years, despite the fact that Mr. Sudalenka had already reported about his income and assets for the period up to 2012 inclusive.
04.09.2015 Accused in "graffiti case": During the arrest we were threatened that we would never get out of jail
Maksim Piakarski, a defendant in the "case of graffiti artists" told the Human Rights Center "Viasna" how the detention was held.
03.09.2015 Silence of the Lambs: What information does Investigative Committee want to remain undisclosed?
Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Valiantsin Stefanovich regards taking the undertakings not to disclose the materials of the preliminary investigation on the "graffiti case" as harassment of the defendants. The human rights activist reflects on the legality of such actions of the Investigative Committee.
