The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for April 2011

19.04.2011 HR defender and United Civic Party activist Pavel Levinau detained on suspicion of involvement in Minsk metro blast

Human rights defender Pavel Levinau has been detained on suspicion of complicity in the 11 April metro terrorist act, says Belarusian Helsinki Committee leader Aleh Hulak.

19.04.2011 Police not named in Maya Abromchyk’s beating case

The prosecutor has informed Maya Abromchyk that a criminal case has been started against a stranger according to her complaint.

19.04.2011 “Nasha Niva” editor-in-chief warned for disclosing case materials

The editor-in-chief of “Nasha Niva” newspaper Andrei Skurko was summoned to the KGB and warned about possible responsibility for divulging materials of the case opened after the blast in Minsk metro on April 11.

19.04.2011 Minsk economic court to examine claim of BPF related to office rental

The preliminary session of the economic court of Minsk which is to see into the claim of the Belarusian Popular Front Party related to office rent contract renewal is to start on Tuesday.

19.04.2011 Journalist and HR defender Shchukin detained

Independent journalist, human rights defender and former military officer Valery Shchukin has been reportedly detained together with several of his friends, as they were having a birthday party this morning at Mr. Shchukin’s home.

19.04.2011 Mahiliou pro-dem activists to appeal picket bans in court

On 18 April, a number of Mahiliou pro-democratic activists lodged a complaint with Leninski District Court against the bans of several pickets scheduled for 25-27 April.

19.04.2011 Babruisk authorities ban Chernobyl remembrance picket

Babruisk activists of the United Civic Party were not allowed holding a picket marking the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster, says local UCP leader Viktar Buzinayeu.

19.04.2011 Case of 6 "mass disturbances" participants transferred to Minsk city court

Minsk public prosecutor's office passed another "mass disturbances" criminal case to Minsk city court to define territorial jurisdiction.

19.04.2011 Mass raids on former servicemen

The police are performing Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s order to find people guilty in the terrorist attack.

18.04.2011 Salidarnasts chief editor questioned on metro blast

On 16 April, Aliaksandr Starykevich, editor-in-chief of the Salidarnasts Internet newspaper, was interrogated by the prosecuting authorities as a witness in the Minsk metro explosion case on 11 April.

18.04.2011 Prisoner Klaskouski: “Mikhalevich’s words about tortures are true”

During the meeting with his wife Natallya, prisoner Alyaksandr Klaskouski confirmed the things Ales Mikhalevich said about the KGB remand prison (“Amerikanka”). The conversation of the prisoner took place during their meeting in the KGB jail, Radio Svaboda informs.

18.04.2011 PACE Political Affairs Committee: investigation into the “mass disorders” raise serious concerns

The Political Affairs Committee of the CE Parliamentary Assembly has released an information note on developments following the adoption of PACE Resolution 1790 (2011) “The situation in Belarus in the aftermath of the presidential election” of 27 January 2011 condemning the violent repression of political protests.

18.04.2011 Freedom House: Belarus Internet Freedom Status -- Not Free

The Freedom House international NGO that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights has released its annual Internet Freedom report entitled "Freedom on the Net 2011".

OPINION ON THE WARNING ADDRESSED TO THE BELARUSIAN ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS ON 13 JANUARY 2010 BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF BELARUS Adopted by the Venice Commission at its 85th Plenary Session, (Venice, 17-18 December 2010)

18.04.2011 OPINION ON THE WARNING ADDRESSED TO THE BELARUSIAN ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS ON 13 JANUARY 2010 BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF BELARUS Adopted by the Venice Commission at its 85th Plenary Session, (Venice, 17-18 December 2010)

At its 85th Plenary Session, (Venice, 17-18 December 2010), the Venice Commission adopted a document entitled OPINION ON THE WARNING ADDRESSED TO THE BELARUSIAN ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS ON 13 JANUARY 2010 BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF BELARUS, assessing the compatibility of the official warning addressed by the Ministry of Justice to the BAJ with “universal human rights standards“.

18.04.2011 Another suspect in mass riot case: Vital Stazharau

Human rights defenders say youth opposition activist Vital Stazharau has been declared another suspect in the 19 December 2010 mass riot criminal case.