The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 8 Jun 2009

08.06.2009 ‘Death’ was walking on Niamiha in the company of policemen in mufti

On 5 June several volunteers of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee tried held a theatric performance for abolishment of the death penalty in Belarus.

08.06.2009 Vaukavysk: fines to participants of action in support of Mikalai Autukhovich

On 8 June the judge of Vaukavysk district court Sviatlana Lantsevich fined participants of the action in support of the political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich that was held on 16 May. The head of Hrodna oblast UCP organization Yury Istomin was fined 700 000 rubles (about $252) under Article 23.34, part 3 of the Administrative Code. The members of the UCP Zmitser Bandarchuk, Andrei Ihnatsiuk, Aleh Kalinkou, Mikhas Ladushka and Alexandra Vasilevich and the head of Civil Forum Pavel Drachou were fined 70 000 rubles ($25) under Article 23.34, part 1. The trial of Vital Huliak was postponed because of his absence.

08.06.2009 Yauhen Skrabets appeals against forced medical examination

The activist of Brest branch of the Young Front Yauhen Skrabets has been released from hospital in the evening on 5 June. Bear in mind that several days ago the police and officers of the military enlistment office detained him near the entrance of his house and forcedly took to Brest oblast hospital for medical examination.

08.06.2009 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in May 2009

In May several mass actions took place, all of them under vigilant police surveillance. In particular, on 7 May an action marking the tenth anniversary of disappearance of opposition politician, former Interior Minister Yury Zakharanka was held in the center of Minsk. Scores of civil activists were detained on the eve. Haunting also continued in different parts of Minsk after the action. A total of 30 people were detained. The detainees were pulled into busses where they were insulted and beaten by police. As written by Maksim Serhiyets in his complaint, police officers humiliated and threatened him. They took away his mobile phone and then hit him in stomach with hands and feet and smothered him. These actions were accompanied with four-letter words. One of the policemen seized the activist by the coat and tore it. When Mr. Serhiyets was thrown down on the bus floor, one of the policemen walked on his back. Other detainees also lied down on the floor and were beaten. Then all detainees were guarded to the Tsentralny district police department. In several hours they were let go without being explained the reasons for the detention. No reports were drawn up.