News for May 2010

The authorities spent too much time thinking about abolition of Article 193.1

13.05.2010 The authorities spent too much time thinking about abolition of Article 193.1

The Ministry of Justice again confirms the intention of the authorities to eliminate from the Criminal Code of Belarus Article 193.1 that envisages punishment for activities on behalf of unregistered organizations.

Procuracy warns entrepreneur for ‘biased commentaries’

13.05.2010 Procuracy warns entrepreneur for ‘biased commentaries’

On 13 May Viktar Chaikouski, Chairperson of the Brest branch of the Republican civil association Perspective, received an official warning from the Brest Region Procuracy.

Harassment of Union of Poles continues

13.05.2010 Harassment of Union of Poles continues

An investigator of the Valozhyn District Police department, Shulha, informed Teresa Sobol, former head of the Polish House in Ivianets, that the criminal case against her was still open, but the accusation article was changed. Earlier the activist of the unrecognized Union of Poles in Belarus was charged with official abuses by a group of persons, whereas now the case concerns only her.

‘Bobruyskiy Kuryer’ still not invited to Babruisk Town Executive Committee

13.05.2010 ‘Bobruyskiy Kuryer’ still not invited to Babruisk Town Executive Committee

As workers of the private newspaper Bobruyskiy Kuryer learned from publications in the local press, representatives of all local media but Bobruyskiy Kuryer had been invited to the Babruisk Town Executive Committee on the eve of the Day of Press and the Day of Radio, TV and Communications.

Belarusian NGOs and international community discuss the situation of human rights in Belarus

13.05.2010 Belarusian NGOs and international community discuss the situation of human rights in Belarus

Representatives of the Belarusian NGOs held a number of events on 12 May in Geneva that were connected with the report of the Belarusian authorities within the guidelines of the procedure of the Universal Periodical Review at the UN Human Rights Council.

Homel: trials of conscientious objectors resumed

13.05.2010 Homel: trials of conscientious objectors resumed

On 12 May the Tsentralny District Court of Homel resumed the consideration of the administrative cases against a Jehovah’s Witness Dzmitry Smyk and Yauhen Yakavenka, an activist of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party. Both of them are charged with evasion from military service.

Trials for ‘obscene language’

12.05.2010 Trials for ‘obscene language’

On 12 May the Leninski District Court of Minsk tried the democratic activists who had been detained by police after the action of solidarity with the political prisoners Uladzimir Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka and Mikhail Kazlou near the Supreme Court.

Trial of Siarhei Kavalenka and white-red-white flag in Vitsebsk

12.05.2010 Trial of Siarhei Kavalenka and white-red-white flag in Vitsebsk

Siarhei Kavalenka, an activist of the Conservative-Christian Party Belarusian Popular Front, was detained near the main New Year tree of Vitsebsk (about 40 meters high) on 7 January 2010, for attaching a white-red-white flag to its top.

How many death sentences have been executed since 1990?

12.05.2010 How many death sentences have been executed since 1990?

On 12 May, human rights defenders addressed the Prosecutor General and the Chairperson of the Supreme Court with inquiries concerning the number of the death sentences issued in 1990-2009.

Orsha: police regard air balloons as printed editions

12.05.2010 Orsha: police regard air balloons as printed editions

On 30 April the Orsha police confiscated from Ruslan Kanavalau, an activist of the Speak Truth campaign, 1,700 air balloons. On 12 May, Ruslan Kanavalau was summoned to the Orsha Town Procuracy for drawing up a violation report on this incident.

Aliaksandr Kazulin and other detainees to be tried for ‘obscene language’ on 12 May

11.05.2010 Aliaksandr Kazulin and other detainees to be tried for ‘obscene language’ on 12 May

On 12 May, the Leninski District Court will consider the administrative cases against the people who were detained after the end of the action of solidarity with the political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich that was held near the building of the Supreme Court on 6 May.

Vitsebsk: Kavalenka brothers released from jail

11.05.2010 Vitsebsk: Kavalenka brothers released from jail

On 10 May morning, the Vitsebsk activists Siarhei and Vital Kavalenkas were released from the pre-trial prison where they were kept for a day.

OSCE is concerned with pressurization of media in Belarus

11.05.2010 OSCE is concerned with pressurization of media in Belarus

An OSCE representative slams persecution of the Belarusian journalists and criminal cases against charter97.org website.

European Union considers Autukhovich’s case as politically motivated

11.05.2010 European Union considers Autukhovich’s case as politically motivated

On 10 May, the UK Embassy, representing the country holding EU presidency, issued a statement concerning the legal proceedings in the case of Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka, and Mikhail Kazlou.

09.05.2010 Statement of Human Rights Defenders on Autukhovich's case

On 6 May 2010, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus issued a verdict on the criminal case against Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka, Mikhail Kazlou and Aliaksandr Laryn.

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