The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for August 2011

11.08.2011 Political prisoner Zmitser Bandarenka stays in Minsk hospital #5

As the wife of the political prisoner has informed, he is to undergo rehabilitation there. After the operation at the end of July, Volha Bandarenka saw her husband only once. But she says that she will push for one more meeting with her husband, ERB reports.

11.08.2011 Belarusian Helsinki Committee can be closed too

The Justice Ministry of Belarus threatens to use severe measures of responsibility against the Belarusian Helsinki Committee. The Ministry pointed the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC) at the necessity to follow requirements of the law, and in particular, the right of citizens of Belarus and foreign citizens to know full, reliable and unbiased information, the message posted on the website of the ministry reads.

11.08.2011 Foreign human rights organizations address Prosecutor General to release Ales Bialiatski

To: Nikolai Nikolaevich Kulik, Prosecutor General of the City of Minsk Copied: Division of Preliminary Investigations in the Department of Financial Investigation for the Minsk District and the city of Minsk

10.08.2011 Hrodna Region Court considers it normal to fine one-handed man for “unlawful applause”

Anatol Zayats, Judge of Hrodna Region Court, left standing the ruling of the Hrodna City Court to fine disabled Kanstantsin Kaplin 1,050,000 rubles for participation in the silent protest action held in Hrodna on 3 July.

10.08.2011 Ten days of arrest for solidarity with political prisoner Dashkevich

On 9 August Raman Vasiliieu was sentenced to ten days of arrest for participation in the picket of solidarity with political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich that had been held on 2 August in the town of Horki.

10.08.2011 People readily express solidarity with Ales Bialiatski

Belarusian citizens were quite active even on the very first day of collecting pledges for bailing out the head of the HRC Viasna, which is the fifth day of Ales’s detention in the remand prison. It is very touching that among those who visited the office of HRC Viasna on 9 August there are not only well-known human rights defenders, journalists and victims of political repression who had received support from Viasna, but also ordinary people who learned about the situation from mass media. People also keep phoning from different regions of Belarus saying they want to send their pledges by mail.

10.08.2011 Young Democrats held an action of support to Ales Bialiatski

Several activists of the organization Young Democrats pasted in the underpass under Yakub Kolas Square portraits of the arrested human rights activist, leaflets with information about his prosecution and the slogan Freedom to Ales Bialiatski. They also set a box to collect funds to support him.

10.08.2011 Trial for books goes on

The Kastrychnitski District Court of Minsk continues the consideration of the criminal case against the distributor of Belarusian-language books Ales Yaudakha.

10.08.2011 United Civil Party calls to consolidation with human rights defenders

The Political Council of the United Civil Party states that the criminal persecution of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski has a clear political background.

10.08.2011 Homel: detention of member of United Civil Party Natallia Shchukina

Natallia Shchukina, a member of the UCP and the initiative group for the National Assembly was detained on 9 August in Zhukau Street in Homel.

10.08.2011 US Senator John McCain demands immediate release of Ales Bialiatski

An influential U.S. senator, former presidential candidate John McCain, the Republican demanded the release of human rights activist Ales Bialiatski and other prisoners of conscience. He also called for increased pressure on the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

10.08.2011 Investigation into Anatol Liabedzka’s case resumed

The investigation in the case of “19 December mass riot” against Anatol Liabedzka was resumed on 1 August 2011. The politician called this decision “a political one, not a legal one”, ucpb.org informs.

10.08.2011 Mikita Likhavid: "I don't take part in this

The political prisoner writes that he is pressured in the penal colony to make him write petition for pardon.

10.08.2011 The Norwegian Helsinki Committee demands the immediate release of Ales Bialiatski

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) is appalled over the news of the arrest of Ales Bialiatski, the head of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna” and vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), on 4 August 2011. Ales Bialiatski is accused of gross tax evasion in violation of the art. 243 part 2 of the Criminal Code of Belarus and risks, if convicted, imprisonment up to seven years.

09.08.2011 International Federation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders ‘Frontline’ demands to immediately and unconditionally release Ales Bialiatski

Human rights defender Mr Ales Bialiatski was arrested on 4 August 2011, and is currently being detained at the Volodarskogo Pre-trial Detention Centre He is the subject of a criminal investigation following accusations that he was involved in tax evasion. Ales Bialiatski is the chairman of Human Rights Centre 'Viasna' (HRC 'Viasna'), one of biggest human rights groups in Belarus that works to defend and promote political, cultural and social rights. He is also the Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).