The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 3 Jun 2008

03.06.2008 Valery Shchukin: police torturers on the dock

The first summer month of 2008 in Vitsebsk was marked by an unheard trial (at least for the author of this article). It was the first time for the twelve years of acquaintance with the court instances when I was at a trial which was lead by the head of the court and the state accusation was represented by prosecutor in person.

03.06.2008 Memorial crosses to victims of Stalinism demolished in Barysau

30 May in Barysau, on the territory of batteries, a fortification monument of the 19th century, the memorial crosses to the victims of Stalin’s repressions and the leader of the anti-Bolshevik resistance Yurka Monich, were demolished.

03.06.2008 United democratic forces have formed list of candidates to constituency election commissions

The united democratic forces have formed the list of candidates to constituency election commissions. Such prominent activists as the former speakers of the Supreme Soviet Mechyslau Hryb and Stanislau Shushkevich, the former ministers Pavel Kazlouski and Aliaksandr Sasnou, former deputies, heads of city councils of deputies, etc. were included in this list. The BelaPAN reminds that the Central Election Commission has declined the draft laws which were prepared by the united democratic forces for democratization of the electoral process. Now the united democratic forces demand that their candidates should be included in the election commissions.

03.06.2008 Polatsk: court abolishes fines to 'Young Front' activists

As Katsiaryna Salauyova, head of Polatsk branch of the Young Front, has learned, she and the youth activist Ales Krutkin will not have to pay the fines of 1 050 000 rubles, to which they were sentenced on 20 May in Vushachy for distribution of printed editions without issue data (Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code).

03.06.2008 Court refuses to consider Liabedzka’s suit against foreign travel restrictions

Tsentralny district court of Minsk has refused to consider the suit filed by Anatol Liabedzka, chairman of the United Civil Party, against the foreign travel restrictions, imposed on him by the state organs.

03.06.2008 Picket against repeal of benefits for children in Brest

1 June about thirty activists of Brest opposition held a picket in honor of the International Children’s Day. The picket was organized by the local coalition of the united democratic forces and lasted since 4 till 5 p.m. The aim of the action was drawing the public attention to the repeal of the social benefits for children as a result of the enforcement of the law On the state social benefits, right and guarantees for certain categories of citizens in 2007. The action participants also installed a stand with information about this issue.

03.06.2008 Human rights activist Siarhei Rusetski appeals against sentence

Siarhei Rusetski, member of the BPF Party and human rights activist from Biaroza, has directed a cassation complaint to Brest oblast court. In his complaint Rusetski asks the court to reverse the verdict of Ala Zialionka, judge of Biaroza district court of 21 May, by which he was issued an official warning for participation in the Candle of Memory action, dated to the anniversary of the Chernobyl accident.

03.06.2008 Hrodna: no state registration for Hrodna oblast BSDH branch

Viktar Sazonau, chairman of Hrodna oblast branch of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada (headed by Stanislau Shushkevich) has received a letter from the local justice department.

03.06.2008 Soldier beaten up to death in Belarusian army

The Minsk interpost military procuracy instituted a criminal case on a soldier’s death in the army.

03.06.2008 American Center for Education and Research to be closed in Belarus

The official website of the American Center for Education and Research has placed a short statement: ‘Since May 28 2008 the representative office of the American Center for Education and Research Inc. stops its activities in Belarus’.