10.12.2007 Belarusian Authorities Defy Human Rights. Statement of Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’
Human Rights Center 'Viasna' states with a grave concern that Belarus does not respect the fundamental civil and political rights. The violations of these rights are systematic. They are defined by the conscious politics of the state authorities and their top leaders...
08.12.2007 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in November 2007
On 4 November the Belarusian opposition held the Social March¸ a mass action of protest against the decreasing life standards. At first the organizers intended to gather the people at Kastrychnitskaya Square and lead them to the National library where a meeting was to have taken place. However, as it usually happens, Minsk city executive committee again changed the place of gathering and the route. The place of the meeting was transferred to Banhalor Square.
03.12.2007 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in October 2007
On 14 October a democratic street action ‘European March’ took place in Belarus. Its aim was to demonstrate the European choice of the Belarusian society. On 9 October Minsk city executive committee permitted the action, but, as it usually happens in Belarus, changed the place of assembly and the destination of the procession. At first the organizers intended to gather the action participants at 2 p.m. in Kastrychnitskaya Square and lead the procession along the Independent Avenue to the National Library. Minsk city executive committee insisted on change of the route and proposed the traditional one: from the Academy of Sciences to Bangalore Square.
12.11.2007 33 Countries Propose to Condemn Belarus for Human Rights Violations
33 countries have introduced to the UN a draft resolution on Belarus.
29.10.2007 International Organizations Support Viasna
Leading international human rights organizations issued a joint statement on the situation with Viasna's registration
26.10.2007 Political Prisoner Artur Finkevich in Pre-Trial Detention Center Again
The Belarusian authorities continue to persecute democratic leaders who serve politically motivated prison terms
26.10.2007 Supreme Court Turns Down Complaint of Human Rights Defenders about Registration of Viasna
Despite the fact that during the trial the human rights defenders refuted practically all arguments of the Ministry, and representative of the Ministry failed to answer numerous questions of the founders, the Supreme Court decided in favor of the Ministry of Justice.
14.10.2007 European March: Chronicle
The chronicle of event during the European March
11.10.2007 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in September 2007
In September the democratic opposition of Belarus was preparing to the autumn actions, the European and the Social marches, to demand from the authorities the realization of the social guarantees and familiarize the population with the EU proposals to Belarus and the conditions in which they could come into effect. On 30 September the United democratic forces intended to hold mass pickets all over Belarus. Official applications for authorization of these actions were filed in more than 60 towns and cities of Belarus. One day Salihorsk district executive committee received about a hundred of picket applications, half of which were aimed at protesting against the present social policy, the liquidation of social benefits and guarantees and others – at collection of signatures under the demand to release political prisoners.
10.10.2007 Criminal Persecution of Zmitser Dashkevich Is Aimed at Intimidation of Publicly Active Youth
Statement of Human Rights Center Viasna
The Belarusian authorities scorn the Constitution. Zmitser Dashkevich can receive up to six months of arrest for the use of the right not to testify against himself, which is guaranteed by the fundamental law.
02.10.2007 Supreme Court Protracts Time
The human rights activists Ales Bialiatski, Uladzimir Labkovich and Valiantsin Stefanovich received letters from the Supreme Court, signed by judge S.Yakhnavets. There it was stated that on 26 September the appeal against the refusal of the Ministry of Justice to register the public association Human Rights Center Viasna was considered, but no decision was taken as no documents confirming the powers of the applicants were attached. That’s why the applicants were to correct the situation till 5 October.
27.09.2007 Ales Bialiatski: The trial and the verdict to Klimau are absurd.
Human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, vice-President of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), condemns the shameful verdict and imprisonment of Belarusian politician and publicist Andrei Klimau.
18.09.2007 Zmitser Zhaleznnichenka to Serve Eight Days in Jail
Zmitser Zhaleznichenka was tried for disorderly conduct (foul language) and insubordination to police orders.
07.09.2007 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in July-August 2007
During the last two summer months the Belarusian authorities continued persecuting democratic activists: policemen groundlessly detained people without composing detention reports or accused them in administrative violations. Despite the summer season the Belarusian opposition continued active work and preparation to autumn actions including the European March appointed on 14 October and the Social March. Democratic activists distributed agitation materials with the aim to inform citizens about the marches. Besides, during this period the democratic circles celebrated an important date of the Belarusian history, 27 July. This day in 1990 the deputies of the Belarusian Parliament of the 12th Convocation adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty.
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.
