The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for November 2011

07.11.2011 The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders: Third day of the trial against Ales Bialiatski shows clear signs of a politically-motivated trial

On the second day, Mr. Ales Bialiatski appeared in court behind bars, very pale, but also very clear when answering about his professional activities. On the first day of his trial, Mr. Ales Bialiatski was not allowed to have lunch, nor to drink. When he was interrogated for more than two hours, he stood up, with his documents in the hands whereas the interrogators, the prosecution and the judge were sat-down.

04.11.2011 Mahiliou: fine to Aksana Samuilava

At 3.30 p.m. Aksana Samuilava, coordinator of the civil movement “Tell the Truth!” in the Mahiliou region, was fined 875,000 rubles for “unlawful distribution of mass media without imprint”. The verdict was issued by Judge Ihlikau in Aksana’s absence (she wasn’t invited to the trial).

04.11.2011 Homel: another rally banned

Members of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World” intend to hold a rally on 20 November in order to discuss the socio-economic situation in Homel and the country as a whole. The head of the regional structure of the party Uladzimir Siakerka filed an appropriate application with the Homel City Executive Committee and also decided to conclude service agreements with the police, ambulance and public utilities.

04.11.2011 Chairman of Baranavichy branch of “For Freedom” is invited to police

On 4 November police officer Dzmitry Mizger phoned to Viktar Syrytsa, Chairman of the Baranavichy branch of the movement “For Freedom” to invite him for a talk to the Baranavichy District Police Department. Being asked about the reasons, the policeman answered that the activist could guess it himself.

04.11.2011 Baranavichy: Ryhor Hryk appeals against picket ban

On 3 November civil activist Ryhor Hryk filed with the Baranavichy City Court an appeal against the picket ban issued by the Baranavichy City Executive Committee. The activist intended to hold a picket against the rapid growth of prices and the pauperization of the population on 5 October. As it was stated in the CEC refusal, the slogans that were stated in the picket application didn’t correspond to the aims and notions, adopted in Article 2 of the Law “On Mass Events”.

04.11.2011 Trial of Ales Bialiatski: day 3

4 November is the third day of the court hearings on the criminal case against Ales Bialiatski, Chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

04.11.2011 Brest: court sides with police boss

Zmitser Shurkhai, a coordinator of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, was detained on 28 June 2011, on the eve of a silent protest action, and charged with using obscene language in public.

04.11.2011 Haradok: Leanid Autukhou deprived of his driver’s license

The Haradok road police deprived civil activist Leanid Autukhou of his driver’s license for a year, so that “he wouldn’t drive to People’s Assemblies” (as he heard some police officer say behind his back). He was also fined 280,000 rubles, as he had allegedly committed a gross violation of the traffic rules on his return from the People’s Assembly on 8 October in Vitsebsk.

04.11.2011 A brief review of the first day of the hearing of Ales Bialiatski’s case: The trial of Ales Bialiatski has begun in Minsk

On November 2nd 2011, in Minsk the trial of Ales Bialiatski, vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights and head of the human rights center Viasna, has begun.

03.11.2011 Belarus activist facing jail over “politically motivated” tax charges

The Belarusian authorities must immediately release a prominent human rights activist and prisoner of conscience who faces up to seven years in jail on “politically motivated” charges of tax evasion, Amnesty International said today.

03.11.2011 Babruisk: detentions on Ancestors’ Commemoration Day

On 2 November Babruisk residents intended to commemorate ancestors by gathering near a Catholic cathedral and an Orthodox church, lighting candles and proceeding to a monument to victims of repressions.

03.11.2011 Homel: Uladzimir Katsora gets warned

On 2 November Uladzimir Katsora, an organizer of the People’s Assembly in Homel has been served a warning by the Savetski District Procuracy of Homel.

03.11.2011 Babruisk: Viktar Buzinayeu arrested for ten days

The Babruisk City Court sentenced Viktar Buzinayeu, the head of the local office of the United Civil Party, to ten days of jail.

03.11.2011 Babruisk: police pressurize civil activists

A police inspector paid a visit to the apartment of Maryna Hradulenka, a Babruisk-based activist of the civil movement “Tell The Truth!” after 8 p.m. on 2 November. He wanted her to sign a warning about responsibility for participation in unauthorized actions and violations of the laws on press and mass media.

03.11.2011 Trial of Ales Bialiatski, day 2 (updated)

The trial of the Chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights Ales Bialiatski continues at the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk.