The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for December 2011

05.12.2011 Vitsebsk: Siarhei Kavalenka stands trial for “disorderly conduct”

Siarhei Kavalenka, accused by police of swearing, is tried at the Pershamaiski District Court of Vitsebsk. Policeman Kahkhlouski drew up a police report against the activist, the press service of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party reports.

05.12.2011 Tax officers pay interest to the Liabedzkas' income

As the leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka informs, his wife and son have received a notification that they should submit tax declarations.

05.12.2011 The Danish Institute for Human Rights expresses deep regret with the ruling in the case of Ales Bialiatski

The Danish Institute for Human Rights expresses deep regret with the ruling in the case against our friend and partner - Ales Bialiatski.

02.12.2011 Georgian human rights defenders demanded from Lukashenka to release Bialiatski (photos, video)

On 1 December in Tbilisi members of the “Center for Human Rights” (HRIDC), a member organization of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), joined the global action in support of Ales Bialiatski, vice-President of the FIDH, Chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”.

02.12.2011 Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Valiantsin Stefanovich is tried today

The administrative trial on exaction of taxes from Valiantsin Stefanovich started at the Partyzanski District Court of Minsk at 10 a.m on 1 December. It was to have taken place back on 15 November, but was postponed as the defendant couldn't attend it for family reasons.

02.12.2011 Brest: no acquittal for Viktar Syrytsa and Zinaida Mikhniuk

On 11 November Stanislau Pivavar, Judge of the Baranavichy City and District Court, fined Viktar Syrytsa 875,000 rubles under Article 23.34, part 2, “violation of the rules of conduct of mass events”, for holding the People's Assembly in Baranavichy on 8 October.

02.12.2011 Ales Bialiatski transferred to Zhodzina prison

Human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, sentenced to 4.5 years in a high security colony for alleged tax evasion on 24 November, has been transferred to the notorious Zhodzina prison.

02.12.2011 Mikalai Autukhovich on strike in prison

Mikalai Autukhovich has recently sent a letter to director Volha Mikalaichyk, who made a film about the businessman from Vaukavyck.

01.12.2011 Argentinian human rights defenders demand freedom for Bialiatski

Delegation of COMITÉ DE ACCIÓN JURÍDICA (CAJ), a member organization of the International Federation for Human Rights, held an action in front of the Embassy of Belarus in Buenos-Aires, Argentina, on 25 November, the day after the announcement of the verdict to Ales Bialiatski.

01.12.2011 Navapolatsk: picket banned four times

Members of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union from the “Naftan” plant have received a fourth ban on holding a picket aimed at informing Navapolatsk citizens about the refusal of the plant administration to conclude a collective agreement with the independent trade union.

01.12.2011 Valiantsin Stefanovich to have two trials on 2 December

The trial concerning the exaction of taxes from human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich will start at 10 a.m. on 2 December at the Partyzanski District Court (Siamashka Street, 33). It was to have started on 15 November, but was postponed on Valiantsin's request, who couldn't appear in court for family reasons.

01.12.2011 Bialiatski's lawyer files appeal against court verdict

On 29 November lawyer Dzmitry Layeuski filed an appeal against the verdict of the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk to human rights defender Ales Bialiatski with the Minsk City Court.

01.12.2011 Brest: police pay interest to prayers for Belarus

Several prayers for Belarus have taken place in Brest. Nobody was detained at them, but the police put down the personal data of their participations every time.

01.12.2011 Aftermath of People's Assemblies: Homel activists appeal against fines and arrests

On 30 November Valery Sliapukhin, a coordinator of the civil campaign “Tell the Truth!” filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. The activists disagrees with the rulings of the Chyhunachny District Court of Homel (according to which he was sentenced to a fine of 1,4 mln Belarusian rubles for “violation of the rules of conduct of mass events”) and the Homel Regional Court (which upheld the previous verdict).

01.12.2011 Orsha: human rights defenders appeal against picket ban

Orsha-based human rights defenders Vasil Berasneu and Vasil Leuchankau filed appeals with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Vitsebsk Regional Procuracy. They state that their freedom of expression, guaranteed by Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, was violated by the picket ban issued by the the Orsha City Executive Committee.