News on the topic: human rights defenders
07.10.2013 Trial on Labkovich's case postponed again
On 7 October at the Savetski District Court of Minsk the member of the Council of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Uladzimir Labkovich was informed that the trial would take place tomorrow and start at 9 a.m. This is already the fourth postponement of the trial.
06.10.2013 Hrodna City Executive Committee issues a “cynic” picket ban
Hrodna City Executive Committee once again prohibited the human rights defenders Uladzimir Khilmanovich, Raman Yurhel and Viktar Sazonau to hold an informational picket. The activists intended to hold a picket against the death penalty on 10 October, the World Day against the Death Penalty, and inform the citizens about this issue.
30.09.2013 Police officer does not want to testify in Uladzimir Labkovich’s case
A police officer who detained human rights defenders Uladzimir Labkovich and Tatsiana Reviaka during an action of solidarity with political prisoner Ales Bialiatski held in Minsk once again failed to appear at the court hearing.
30.09.2013 Homel: new mass events rules – old problems for organizers
In early September, a new decision of Homel city executive committee on mass events came into force. The authorities say that it is meant to “expand the list of places for public events, as well as to improve the interaction between the organizers of public events and local authorities.” However, although the number of locations has increased (two sites instead of one), they are located in places that will make potential participants in the pickets or rallies hire a vehicle to travel to the locations.
26.09.2013 On required actions of the international community in connection with the case of prisoner of conscience Ales Bialiatski
Statement by the International Observation Mission of the Committee on International Control over the Human Rights Situation in Belarus
26.09.2013 Amnesty Netherlands visit Belarusian embassy to celebrate Ales Bialiatski's birthday
On Ales Bialiatski’s birthday, the Dutch section of Amnesty paid a visit to the Belarus Embassy in The Hague, presenting its staff with a special birthday cake, and thousands of new signatures demanding freedom for Ales. Amnesty activists also gifted the Embassy with a package of fresh fruit and vegetables, reminding the Belarusian authorities of their ICESCR obligation to ensure fulfillment of the right of persons in detention to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health.
24.09.2013 Hrodna court confirms picket ban
Judge Zhanna Krauchanka of Hrodna Leninski District Court upheld yesterday a ban on holding a picket in support of Ales Bialiatski, following two and a half hours of examination of a complaint lodged by local human rights defenders, Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Raman Yurhel, to challenge the decision of the city executive committee.
20.09.2013 Karim Lahidji: The principle of non-interference is a fig leaf covering inaction
The president of the International Federation for Human Rights is convinced that the situations of Iran and Belarus are similar.
19.09.2013 Biaroza court confirms picket ban
The court of Biaroza district considered yesterday a joint complaint by human rights defenders Siarhei Rusetski and Tamara Shchapiotkina, as well as civil society activist Tatsiana Tarasevich. They asked the court to reverse a ban imposed by the district executive committee on a demonstration of solidarity with political prisoners scheduled for August 4, as well as to recognize a violation of terms of replying (instead of July 30, as required by law, the reply was sent to the applicants on August 2).
18.09.2013 Uladzimir Labkovich’s trial adjourned
The Court of Minsk’s Savetski district considered today the administrative charges brought against human rights defender Uladzimir Labkovich for alleged illegal picketing on August 5. However, the Judge ruled to adjourn the trial to September 30, after the key witness for the prosecution, policeman Smaliak, failed to appear in the courtroom.
17.09.2013 Homel human rights defender demands compensation for four illegal administrative penalties
Homel human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka filed a lawsuit to Tsentralny District Court to demand moral damages in the amount of 29 million rubles from head of the Chief Finance Department of Homel region. He also asks to recover court fees and the administrative penalty of 600,000 rubles.
16.09.2013 Human Rights Defenders Discuss Violations of Human Rights in Belarus with Dutch Officials
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) invited a delegation of Belarusian and Russian human rights defenders to raise issues regarding the systematic violation of human rights in Belarus with Dutch officials.
09.09.2013 Hrodna human rights defenders get summonsed to court
Hrodna human rights defenders Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Viktar Sazonau received summons to the Leninski District Court of Hrodna. Most probably, this is a reaction to the appeal against actions of the Hrodna City Executive Committee, filed by them and one more human rights defender, Raman Yurhel.
09.09.2013 Homel human rights defenders appeal non-implementation of the Law “On Mass Events” at prosecutor's office
Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka have applied to the prosecutor of the Homel region concerning the non-implementation of the Law “On Mass Events”.
02.09.2013 Minsk City Court doesn't grant Uladzimir Labkovich's appeal
Minsk City Court dismissed the cassation appeal of the human rights activist Uladzimir Labkovich against the fine of 3 million rubles, imposed on him by the Savetski District Court of Minsk. his conviction by a court of the Soviet district of Minsk 3,000,000 rubles fine.
