The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for September 2009

15.09.2009 Vitsebsk: two flags – two detainees

On 14 September at about 6 p.m. two white-red-white flags were hanged out in Peramohi Square and Svabody Square. The local activists Siarhei Kavalenka and Taras Surhan were detained by police.

15.09.2009 Minsk authorities disrupt UCP press conference

Minsk city executive committee prohibited lending the hall of Minsk international educational center (IBB) for holding the countrywide party conference of the United Civil Party.

15.09.2009 Supreme Court turned down Leanid Svetsik’s cassation complaint

The Supreme Court of Belarus refused to change the verdict to human rights activist from Vitsebsk Leanid Svetsik.

14.09.2009 Figurant of ‘Process of 14’ Ales Straltsou gets chance to be amnestied

On 9 September Ales Straltsou received by mail a copy of the protest of the head of the Supreme Court of Belarus against the verdict, issued to him by Tsentralny district court of Minsk concerning the replacement of the personal restraint for him to corrective labor with exaction of 15% from the wage for the benefit of the state. It was also written in the letter that the protest had been directed to the presidium of Minsk city court.

14.09.2009 Secret services to become first readers of Pavel Seviarynet’s new book?

On 6 September Pavel Seviarynets, head of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, gave the manuscript of his new novel to Dzianis Sadouski for making a Xerox copy. Mr. Sadouski passed the manuscript to a friend. KGB and police searched the apartment that was rented by this friend.

14.09.2009 Beaten participants of peaceful actions addressed prosecutor’s office

Two youth activists who had been detained during the forced dispersal of the protest action against the arrival of the Russian troops in Belarus within the frames of the strategic training Zapad-2009 and beaten by police, addressed the prosecutor’s office with the demand to hold a check-up and bring the guilty to account.

14.09.2009 Authorities ban picket for education in Belarusian language

Minsk city executive committee banned the picket ‘Give Belarusian children Belarusian school’ because the action would allegedly hinder the traffic in Banhalor Square. The association of right-wing forces Right Alliance intended to hold the action on 16 September in Druzhby Narodau Park in Banhalor Square.

11.09.2009 Valer Filipau joins campaign against death penalty in Belarus

Valer Filipau, doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, is one of the first Belarusian human rights defenders who started struggling for the abolishment of the death penalty in Belarus. Three editions, dedicated to the right to life, have been edited by him.

11.09.2009 Karnei Piatrovich vs. Baranavichy State University

On 11 September the preliminary court sitting on the lawsuit of the lawyer Karnei Piatrovich against Baranavichy State University took place.

11.09.2009 Statement of Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’: Authorities again showed complete disregard of human rights

On 9 September 2009 in Minsk a peaceful action of the citizens who came to Kastrychnitskaya Square of Minsk to express their opinion concerning the participation of the Russian military forces in the joint Bealrusian-Russian military training, was dispersed with an exceptional violence.

11.09.2009 Belarus has the largest prison terms in Europe

‘The average prison term in Belarus is 6.3 years, whereas seven years of jail is considered a terrible penalty in Europe. This fact aggravates the correction of criminals and contributes to the stability of the criminal world,’ BelTA quotes Alexander Barkou, vice-director on the research of the Belarusian State University’s Institute for retraining of judges, officers of procuracies, courts and justice organs.

11.09.2009 KGB returns Zmitser Khvedaruk from hospital to army

During the morning doctor’s round Zmitser Khvedaruk was told his state of health was unsatisfactory and he should have stayed in hospital for one more week.

11.09.2009 Alexander Atroshchankau: ‘Detention in police department can’t be called anything but torture’

Alexander Atroshchankau, activist of the civil movement European Belarus, commented on the treatment of detained participants of the action No to Russian Occupation! by police.

10.09.2009 Ivan Kruk continues appealing against fine for distribution of newspapers

Astravets activist Ivan Kruk has filed a review complaint with the head of Hrodna oblast court Hrynkevich. Mr. Kruk believes that the huge fine (700 000 rubles, about $250) was imposed on him for publishing in the bulletin some information about the danger of the construction of a nuclear power station.

10.09.2009 Minsk: opposition’s action ‘No to Russian Occupation!’ ends with brutal beating, detentions and trials

At 7 p.m. on 9 September several dozens of opposition activists came to Kastrychnitskaya Square in the center of Minsk to mark the Belarusian Military Glory Day (8 September) and protest against the joint Russian-Belarusian strategic military exercises Zapad-2009. The Belarusian democrats believe the forthcoming exercises threaten the independence of Belarus. About 6000 out of 12 500 soldiers, involved in the training, are Russians. The political leaders of Russia have stated several times about possible brining Russian troops to Belarus in case of a threat to Lukashenka’s regime.