The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for March 2011

23.03.2011 “Impregnable” Prosecutor Vasilevich

“Activities on behalf of a political party, public association, religious organization or foundation, that has failed to undergo a state registration procedure, violate the legislation of the Republic of Belarus”, repeatedly state official replies by Prosecutor General to Viasna’s leader Ales Bialiatski.

23.03.2011 Minsk prosecuting officials admit violation of search procedures

Human rights defender Vital Amialkovich received a reply by Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office, admitting violations of legal procedures during a search at his apartment in early January 2011.

23.03.2011 Minsk court convicts activists for picket of solidarity with Dashkevich and Lobau

Minsk Maskouski Court sentenced youth activists Ivan Shyla and Ryhor Astapenia to 13 and 10 days of administrative arrest respectively for arranging a picket of support for Zmitser Dashkevich and Eduard Lobau outside the court building on 22 March.

23.03.2011 Babruisk activists detained for 25 March leaflets

Babruisk police detained four local activists – Volha Pimanava, Taisia Kabanchuk, Halina Smirnova and Maksim Ryzhkevich – as they were distributing leaflets advertising the forthcoming 25 March celebrations.

23.03.2011 Opposition activists forced to sign obligations of non-involvement in 25 March events

Homel policemen force opposition activists to provide written obligations not to participate in the Freedom Day celebrations on 25 March.

23.03.2011 Rechytsa human rights defender harassed ahead of 25 March

On 22 March, Rechytsa human rights defender Valery Putsitski received a written warning of possible prosecution for involvement in unauthorized events during the forthcoming 25 March Freedom Day celebrations.

23.03.2011 Prosecutor General bans inspection of detention conditions at KGB prison

A number of Vitsebsk civil activists have been refused to carry out an inspection of detention conditions at the KGB Minsk pre-trial prison, after their appeal to the Prosecutor General of Belarus was redirected to Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office.

22.03.2011 KGB bans meeting of Mikalai Statkevich with father

Viktar Statkevich, 84-year-old father of former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, who has been in custody in the KGB pre-trial prison since 19 December 2010, has not so far been allowed to have a meeting with his son, despite an application submitted to the prison’s administration.

22.03.2011 Andrei Bandarenka is acquitted

Minsk City Court has acquitted Andrei Banadrenka, a member of the National UCP Committee today, on March 22. He has been released in the court room.

22.03.2011 Radio Racyja reporter questioned by KGB

Barys Haretski, journalist of the Radio Racyja, was detained today in Minsk Partyzanski District Court, where the trial of Mikita Likhavid is taking place. The reporter was taken to the KGB central office and interrogated.

22.03.2011 Another suspect in mass riot case

Reports appeared last evening of another suspect in the 19 December mass riot criminal case being detained on 21 March. 23-year-old student of Minsk Management Institute Aliaksei Sharstou is currently in reportedly in Minsk detention center in Valadarski Street. His apartment is currently being searched.

22.03.2011 Mahiliou court turns down complaint against KGB

On 21 March, Mahiliou Leninski District Court dismissed a complaint lodged by chair of Belarusian Popular Front Mahiliou regional office Zmitser Salauyou against the KGB local department.

21.03.2011 Brest human rights defender makes local detention center employ female staff

Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak received a reply from Leninski District Police Department, confirming the presence of female employees on staff of the local detention center, following a complaint by local resident Inha Abramava submitted to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

21.03.2011 Maladechna human rights defender to be inspected by tax department

On 21 March, Maladechna human rights defender Ales Kaputski was summoned to local tax inspection. The activists say the possible inspection is caused by his civil activity.

21.03.2011 Local authorities ban 25 March solidarity pickets

Vitsebsk, Barysau, Polatsk and Navapolatsk authorities dismissed applications for holding a number of pickets of solidarity with political prisoners on 25 March submitted by local pro-democratic activists.