The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 26 Oct 2011

26.10.2011 Another protest in Minsk: detentions growing harsher

At least four participants of another picket of solidarity with political prisoners in Minsk Kastrychnitskaya Square have been detained by policemen in plain clothes.

26.10.2011 Mazyr human rights defender vs. picket ban

On 19 October, human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun has lodged a complaint with Mazyr District Court against a ban on a picket of solidarity with Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski issued by the town’s executive committee.

26.10.2011 UCP Mahiliou leader faces administrative charges

Uladzimir Shantsau, chair of Mahiliou regional office of the United Civil Party of Belarus, will stand trial for involvement in the organization of so called People’s Assembly on 8 October, following his interrogation last morning.

26.10.2011 Slonim activist fined BYR 1,400,000

Ivan Bedka, Slonim leader of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, has been fined BYR 1,400,000 for involvement in the organization of so called People’s Assembly on 8 October.

26.10.2011 Yesterday’s protesters receive 7 and 10-day terms

The detained participants of yesterday’s picket of solidarity with prisoners of conscience have stood trials at Minsk Tsentralny District Court this afternoon.

26.10.2011 Vitsebsk activists to stand trial for organizing People’s Assembly

Mmes. Iryna Yaskevich and Tatsiana Seviarynets are facing charges for alleged illegal organizing of so called People’s Assembly in Vitsebsk on 8 October. Both activists say the charges are absurd.

26.10.2011 Polish MEP calls for support of imprisoned opposition politician Bandarenka

Marek Migalski, a Polish member of the European Parliament, has called on the EP and Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, to support opposition politician Dzmitry Bandarenka who is serving a prison term in connection with last December’s post-election protest in Minsk.

26.10.2011 Russian journalist deported from Belarus

Igor Karmazin, reporter of the Moskovsky Komsomolets Russian newspaper, has been deported from Belarus after arranging a number of interviews with former Belarusian political prisoners and their families, including Mikita Likhavid and Iryna Khalip, European Radio for Belarus reports.

26.10.2011 Trade union leader fined

Henadz Fiadynich, leader of the Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry, has been fined BYR 1,400,000 for organizing the People’s Assembly on 8 October, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

26.10.2011 UCP Mahiliou activist questioned

On 25 October, Mahiliou police interrogated local leader of the United Civil Party of Belarus Uladzimir Shantsau.

26.10.2011 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders: undue pressure against Belarus' civil society and independent media continues

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint project of the International Federation for Human rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has released its annual report covering administrative abuses against human rights defenders worldwide.