The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for March 2009

03.03.2009 ‘Young Front’ activist Artsiom Dubski placed to pre-trial prison in Asipovichy

The activist of the Young Front Artsiom Dubski has been placed to the pre-trial prison in Asipovichy in connection with a criminal case for evasion from punishment (personal restraint) that has been brought against him recently. The prosecutor has three days to decide whether to leave the activist in jail or release him under written undertaking not to leave the town.

03.03.2009 Belarusian MFA deny accreditation to another journalist of Radio Racyja

The commission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on accreditation of foreign mass media refused to accredit Ivan Roman as the correspondent of Radio Racyja in Hrodna.

03.03.2009 Refusal to register ‘Nasha Viasna’ is a manifestation of systematic and purposeful discrimination of human rights activists

On 2 March 2009 the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus decided to deny the state registration to the civil human rights association Nasha Viasna, the successor of the liquidated civil association Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’.

03.03.2009 Uladzimir Labkovich: ‘It is obvious that non-registration of ‘Nasha Viasna’ is a political decision’

Today on our own initiative we have received a copy of the decision of the Ministry of Justice concerning the registration denial to us (we could not receive it by mail as quickly as that, because it is dated 2 March). Bear in mind that the answer was taken after the expiry of the legally established term for giving such answers.

03.03.2009 Ministry of Justice refuses to register ‘Nasha Viasna’

On 3 March the representative of interests of the civil human rights association Nasha Viasna Uladzimir Labkovich received a copy of the decision of the Ministry of Justice On registration denial to the public association.

03.03.2009 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in February 2009

In February police dispersed two peaceful democratic actions: on 14 February – in honor of St. Valentine's Day and on 16 February – an action of solidarity with political prisoners and families of the missing political and civil activists. Some of participants of these actions applied for medical aid. No one was detained.

02.03.2009 ‘Berastseiskaya Viasna’ – attempt #2

On 2 March the initiative group of human rights activists filed documents for registration of the human rights NGO Berastseiskaya Viasna to the justice department of Brest oblast executive committee.

02.03.2009 Dactylography in Lida College

The police and the administration of Lida College conduct mass dactylography of students. According to a teacher of the college who asked not to mention his name, mass dactylography is conducted in Lida college of Hrodna university.

02.03.2009 Supreme Court turns down Siarhei Panamarou’s cassation complaint

The deputy head of the Supreme Court Valer Kalinkovich upheld the verdict of Kletsk district court, according to which an activist of For Freedom movement was fined for allegedly preparing an unsanctioned mass action.