The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for September 2008

02.09.2008 Head of Rechytsa constituency commission says Putsitski owns thousands of shares

During the registration of candidates to the Chamber of Representatives the head of Rechytsa constituency electoral commission Vital Atamanchuk stated that candidate Putsitski allegedly owned thousands of shares of stock companies. Putsitski’s adherents consider this statement as an attempt to raise doubts among those who attended the sitting of the commission and thus discredit the candidate.

02.09.2008 Horki: candidate is threatened with changes in biography and prohibition to publish his electoral program

Constituency electoral commission #81 threatens Andrei Yurkou, a candidate for deputy from the Belarusian Popular Front Adradzhenne, with introduction of changes in his biography and prohibition to publish his electoral program in the local newspaper.

02.09.2008 Brest: Raman Kisliak asks permission for picket dedicated to disappearance of Hanchar and Krasouski

The human rights activist Raman Kisliak has addressed Brest city executive committee to obtain permission for holding a picked dedicated to an anniversary of the disappearance of Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krasouski. He intends to hold the picket on 16 September.

02.09.2008 Central electoral commissions received 50 complaints

As of 10 a.m. on 2 September the Central electoral commission received 50 complaints from the persons who had not been registered as candidates to the Chamber of Representatives. This information was voiced by the CEC secretary Mikalai Lazavik. He also stated that on 3 September the CEC would consider the complaints filed by dwellers of the regions and on 4 September – those filed by Minsk dwellers. The commission would also gather on 5 September should it be necessary.

02.09.2008 Newspaper is blacklisted because of journalist’s engagement in the elections

the Ministry of Information issued two official warnings to a non-state newspaper Bobruiskiy Kurier at once. One more warning had been issued to it on 7 November 2007. Having three warnings, the newspaper can be closed down by the court.

02.09.2008 Hrodna: an official candidate withdraws from the elections

One of the candidates registered at Hrodna-Zaniomanskaya constituency #49, Siarhei Kamianetski, withdrew from the elections. The constituency electoral commission confirmed this fact to the observers, but offered no explanations. The only thing they were told was that they could read about it all the next day, in the local state press.

02.09.2008 Central electoral commission does not regard numerous publications about pro-regime candidates as early agitation

The state media started publishing articles about the merits of the state officials who intended to run for the parliament, without waiting for the official registration of candidates for the parliament. Their ‘bright images’ were promoted for the readers already before the official registration of their candidacies and the beginning of the official state of agitation. As far as there were many such publications in the state mass media, the CEC received many addresses concerning early agitation.

02.09.2008 Democratic candidates are weeded out

The number of unregistered democratic candidates at the parliamentary election is extremely high, so one can’t say the oncoming election is democratic.

02.09.2008 BPF Youth protest against education reform

On 1 September activists of the youth organization of the Belarusian Popular Front party held a protest rally against school reform.

02.09.2008 Oppositional candidates are not admitted to TV

The candidates representing the authorities are often showed on TV while the opposition still have no access to the air.

02.09.2008 Three candidates of the United democratic forces withdraw from election

The head of the Homel oblast organization of the United Civil Party Vasil Palyakou and Homel UCP activist Leanid Sudalenka refused to run in the parliamentary election.

01.09.2008 Homel oblast: eight persons refuse from membership in constituency electoral commissions

On 1 September the members of the United Democratic Forces who had been appointed to constituency electoral commissions addressed the executive committees of Homel city and Homel oblast and the Presidiums of Homel oblast and Homel city soviet of deputies with statements about refusal to continue their work in the electoral commissions. They motivated this step by saying that the authorities again prepare to hold a farce with a predictable result.

01.09.2008 Minsk: electors confirm authenticity of their signatures for Yury Karetnikau

On 28 August South-western constituency #99 refused to register Yury Karetnikau as candidate to the Chamber of Representatives. The official reason for the refusal was that 16% of the checked signatures were invalid. The politician thinks that this number is groundless. He has already directed an appeal to the Central electoral commission.

01.09.2008 CIS observer doesn’t know about Karma and Rahachou?

On 29 August the coordinator of the CIS observation mission in Homel oblast Ivan Katlabai stated that in Homel oblast there were no constituencies having less than two candidates. This information, however, does not meet the reality.

01.09.2008 September: more students to be expelled?

An activist of Polatsk branch of the Young Front Mikola Dzemidzenka was informed that he would be expelled from historical faculty of Polatsk State University.