The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for October 2011

19.10.2011 Supreme Court turns down lawsuit by Speak the Truth campaign

Judge Mikalai Babkou has dismissed a lawsuit lodged by Uladzimir Niakliayeu and Siarhei Vazniak, contesting an earlier decision by the Ministry of Justice to deny registration to the civil campaign, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

19.10.2011 Biaroza police chiefs ignore recommendations by prosecutor

Biaroza resident Mrs. Halina Kavalevich, beaten by riot policemen, has finally received a reply by deputy police chief Aliaksandr Khutko, claiming that the policemen’s actions were lawful.

19.10.2011 Valiantsin Stefanovich fined BYR 4,727,330

The tax inspection of Minsk Partyzanski District has fined human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich BYR 4,727,330 for alleged understating of his income. The fine can be appealed in court within 10 days.

19.10.2011 Homel activist beaten by masked unknowns

Vital Pratasevich, Homel activist involved in so called “silent protests”, was beaten by a group of unknown persons wearing masks outside his house in the evening of 18 October.

18.10.2011 Homel activists appeal arbitrary detention

Homel activists Vasil Paliakou and Leanid Sudalenka have lodged a complaint with chief of Homel Tsentralny District Police Department, appealing their arbitrary detention on the day so called “People’s Assembly” was held, 8 October, www.gomelspring.org reports.

18.10.2011 Prosecutors “washing hands” of Orsha HR defenders’ case

Orsha prosecuting authorities have evaded providing legal assessment to a human rights picket banned by local executive officials; they suggested addressing the court, instead.

18.10.2011 Prosecutor’s Office: We don’t know who and when broke the leg of opposition activist Zhukouski

“The use of physical force was lawful; no abuse of power was committed; the reported leg fracture during the detention was not confirmed,” say the results of an investigation into the police-related use of violence against opposition activist Kastus Zhukouski carried out by Homel Tsentralny District Prosecutor’s Office.

18.10.2011 Stéphane Hessel joins Ales Bialiatski’s Nobel nominating committee

Stéphane Hessel, Honorable President of the Committee of Members of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the last living person involved in editing of the International Declaration of Human Rights, has joined the International organizing committee for the nomination of Ales Bialiatski, leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in protecting human rights.

18.10.2011 BPF Slonim activist keeps receiving runaround replies to his complaints

Ivan Sheha, member of the Belarusian Popular Front’s Slonim office, has received two formal replies from the local prosecutor’s office.

18.10.2011 Salihorsk authorities ban anti-torture picket

Aliaksandr Rymasheuski, chair of Salihorsk town executive committee, has ruled to ban a picket against torture reportedly used against the imprisoned Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich. The official ban refers to the applicants’ failure to meet the requirements of Par. 6 Art. 5 of the Mass Events Code.

18.10.2011 Brest executive officials impede Leftists’ activities

Activists of Brest city office of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World” have lodged a complaint with the regional executive committee, after the city authorities refused to provide the office with a legal address.

18.10.2011 Supreme Court to consider “Tell the Truth” campaign’s complaint

The civil campaign has not been allowed to get registration.

17.10.2011 Gay Pride in Minsk banned

Minsk city executive committee has banned Minsk Gay Pride along Akademik Krasin Street in the micro district of Sosny.

17.10.2011 The Thousand Year Journey: Death Penalty Abolition in the UK

From a great King, to Parliamentarians, from the earliest NGOs and onto the public street ….. a thousand year journey to ban the death penalty in the UK. British Ambassador in Belarus Rosemary Thomas writes.

17.10.2011 Baranavichy activist fined BYR 350,000

Baranavichy court has fined Mrs. Anzhalika Kambalava, member of the “People’s Assembly” organizing committee, BYR 350,000 for alleged violation of mass events procedures, namely she was charged with illegal distribution of leaflets.