The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for July 2010

23.07.2010 ’Right Alliance’ not allowed to hold a picket near Russian Embassy in Minsk

The Minsk City Executive Committee banned an unregistered organization Right Alliance to hold a picket near the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Minsk on 27 July, the day when of the Declaration of the Sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus.

23.07.2010 Human rights defenders: granting parole to Yauhen Yakavenka doesn’t solve his problem

On 23 July the panel of judges on criminal cases of the Homel Region Court headed by Judge Liudmila Hrynko, amnestied Yauhen Yakavenka, a member of the Belarusian Christian Democracy , conscientious objector to the military service.

23.07.2010 Vitsebsk: BPF Party banned to hold festive assembly on 27 July

The Kastrychnitski District Executive Committee rejected the application of the Vitsebsk region organization of the Belarusian Popular Front Party for authorizing a festive action dedicated to celebration of an anniversary of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Belarus.

23.07.2010 Guy François Toukam: I wanted to kill myself after 40 days in Akrestsin jail

In his interview to the European Radio for Belarus Guy François Toukam told about the conditions in the Minsk jail, beating, prison food, racist jokes of cellmates and also noted having to pay $250 for 1,5 months of the ‘rest’ in Akrestsin Street.

22.07.2010 Ivan Kruk applies to General Procuracy

Ivan Kruk, a former deputy of the Astravets District Council of Deputies, addressed the General Procuracy of Belarus with an open letter, asking the Prosecutor General to ‘give a legal assessment to unlawful actions of the Astravets district territorial commission for elections to the local Councils of Deputies of the 26th convocation and bring the guilty persons to criminal responsibility.’

22.07.2010 Another Protestant Pastor fined

On 29 July 2010 the Kobryn District Court of the Brest region found reverend Viktar Novikau, Pastor of the Church of Evangelic Faith Christians guilty of violating Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences and fined 2,100,000 rubles (700,000 rubles for three masses, served on 31 May, 7 and 14 June).

22.07.2010 Christian Democrat Ales Halavan fined 875,000 rubles

An activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Ales Halavan received the court verdict from the mailman.

22.07.2010 Baranavichy: Ryhor Hryk dismissed from work

On 22 July 2010 the administration of the Baranavichy wagon depot dismissed an activist of the For Freedom movement, Ryhor Hryk, due to the expiry of his labor contract.

22.07.2010 KGB passed Zarembiuk’s case to police

Siarhei Trafimchyk, an activist of the For Freedom movement, received an answer to his complaint concerning an unlawful search of his apartment.

21.07.2010 Cassation complaint of Ales Abramovich dismissed

On 20 July the Barysau district court considered the cassation complaint of a civil activist Ales Abramovich against the verdict of the Barusau District Court by which he had been found guilty of violating Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences, ‘Violation of the order of organizing or holding mass events or picket).

21.07.2010 Relatives of policeman's victim apply to 'Viasna'

The relatives of the girl who had been shot dead by a policeman applied to the Human Rights Center Viasna saying they didn't believe the official version, according to which it was an accidental shot. The human rights are convinced of the necessity to organize a public supervision over the investigation of this criminal case.

21.07.2010 Journalist of Radio 'Racyja' denied accreditation again

The Ministry of Justice dismissed another application for accreditation of Viktar Parfionenka, a journalist for Radio 'Racyja'. The previous application, submitted to the ministry a year ago, had been rejected as well.

20.07.2010 Detentions in Brest

At 9.40 p.m. on 19 July, officers of the railway police detained Viktar Chaikouski, Deputy Chairperson of the republican NGO Perspective and Valiantsin Lazarenkau, Chairperson of the Brest organization of the Free Trade Union of Belarus who were returning from a conference dedicated to discussion of the law on small and middle-scale business adopted by the Chamber of Representatives.

20.07.2010 Ales Bialiatski became honorary citizen of Genoa

The municipality of the Italian city of Genoa granted the status of honorary citizen to Ales Bialiatski, Chairperson of the Human Rights Center Viasna. The Italian society expressed thereby its concern with the situation of human rights in Belarus, particularly the use of the death penalty, restriction of the freedom of the media and civil and political rights.