The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for December 2011

06.12.2011 Brest: procuracy warns Zinaida Mikhniuk

Natallia Selekh, Brest prosecutor, issued an official warning to Zinaida Mikhniuk, head of the Brest department of the Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry, for a rally appointed on 10 December.

06.12.2011 Vitsebsk: human rights defenders are required to “confirm their powers”

Human rights defender Leanid Svetsik had addressed the Vitsebsk Region Executive Committee with the proposal to hold a meeting with representatives of human rights movement in order to discuss human rights issues.

06.12.2011 Parcel for political prisoner Dashkevich returned to sender

Civil activist Anzhela Kambalava, head of the Baranavichy city branch of the United Civil Party, maintains written correspondence with many political prisoners who have been convicted in connection with the protest action of 19 December 2010.

06.12.2011 Human rights pickets banned in Barysau and Maladechna

On 5 December the Barysau human rights defenders Aleh Matskevich and Maryna Statkevich received from the Barysau District Executive Committee a refusal to authorize a picket dated to the 63rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

06.12.2011 Babruisk: search at apartment of head of local UCP branch

The flat of Alena Toustsik, deputy chairperson of the United Civil party branch was searched. The website of the party was informed about that by the leader of Babruisk city branch of the UCP Viktar Buzinayeu.

06.12.2011 Mahiliou: repressed for Belarusian language applies to court

Andrei Padaliak from Mahiliou, fined allegedly for swearing, says the real reason for the trial was speaking Belarusian.

06.12.2011 What for does KGB need a guitar?

A civic activist from Asipovichy, Ihar Simbirou, has not been returned his guitar seized by the KGB during a search almost a year ago.

06.12.2011 UN Committee against Torture insists on investigation of tortures in Belarus

The UN Committee against Torture has released recommendations for the Belarusian authorities after discussing the situation in Belarus in Geneva on 11 and 14 November. Two reports, an official governmental one on Belarus’s fulfilling the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the other one prepared by human rights activists. Following the two hearings, the Committee drew up recommendations for the authorities of Belarus, BelaPAN news agency reports.

06.12.2011 Last statement by Ales Bialiatski at the trial on 23 November 2011

I agree with every word the counsel said. I think that the arguments he has presented have a sufficient legal basis and sufficient grounds for their serious treatment. At the same time, I’m in a rather complicated situation, as I understand perfectly well that this case from beginning to end has a political subtext, and the lawyer’s speech and my last statement, unfortunately, are a voice crying in the wilderness, finding it extremely difficult to reach anyone. And now I feel like the one who cries in the wilderness, trying to reach the sun. Still, I have something to say.

05.12.2011 Vitsebsk: new official issues first ban

Yury Panfilau, recently appointed the head of the Chyhunachyn District Executive Committee of Vitsebsk, prohibited the local democratic activists to hold a picket dated to an anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

05.12.2011 Minsk City Court upholds annulment of Aleh Aheyeu's license

On 28 November 2011 the civil cases panel of judges of the Minsk City Court, consisting of N. Zhupikava, A.Antonenka and I. Lazavikova considered the administrative lawsuit of counsel Aleh Aheyeu against the unlawful annulment of his lawyer's license by the Ministry of Justice.

05.12.2011 Post-graduate student faces troubles at state institute for attempt to exercise his right

On entering the post-graduate courses at the Institute of Physiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus Aliaksei Paulouski demanded to be provided with a place in the academy's dormitory. However, he was told that there were no places, as a result of which he had to live in a rented apartment, as well as many other post-graduate students.

05.12.2011 Mahiliou: entrepreneur Liudmila Krylovich summonsed to KGB

The woman received a telephone call from a man who introduced himself as a KGB officer. He wanted to invite her for a talk, but she demanded to be issued with a summons.

05.12.2011 Ivatsevichy: Khaladovich sent to work on the day of Lukashenka's visit

Civil activist Stanislau Khaladovich works as a relief plumber at the Ivatsevichy water supply point. On Thursday he was urgently summonsed to work and was told that on his day off, 2 December he would have to work at the water-treatment facilities which are located in the wood. Khaladovich wasn't explained the reasons for it.