The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for April 2012

13.04.2012 Detentions in Smaliavichy

Activists of "Tell the Truth" campaign and chair of Rechanka gardeners' partnership were detained in Smaliavichy.

13.04.2012 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in March 2012

In March, the human rights situation was strongly dependent on the developments in the foreign policy The unresolved issue of political prisoners increased the confrontation between the Belarusian authorities and the European Union: the reluctance of the official Minsk to eliminate the root cause of the conflict faced a tough and consistent position of the EU.

12.04.2012 Pressurization of “Granite” workers continues

Shovelman Leanid Dubanosau still hasn’t passed the exam on electric security, as “special” continues are created for him each time. For instance, while he was passing the exam with an acquaintance, the latter was given questions. What concerns Mr. Dubanosau, examiner Henadz Bloshkin told him to write to the prosecutor’s office for passing the exam again to which the shovelman answered that he would really apply there if necessary.

12.04.2012 Police confiscate Aliaksei Pikulik’s passport

On 6 April the road police stopped the car of Aliaksei Pikulik, head of the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies. They told him to drive to the Tsentralny District Police Department of Minsk for identification as a suspect in a fight and forgery of documents.

12.04.2012 Stefanovich's complaints are still forwarded to Ministry of Defense

On 11 March the vice-head of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Valiantsin Stefanovich was prevented from leaving for Lithuania. He was stopped by the Belarusian border guards at the crossing point "Kamenny Loh" and stated that he was prohibited to leave Belarus.

12.04.2012 Mahiliou: Siarhei Niahatsin fined 3 mln rubles for "Tut i Tsiaper" newspaper

On 11 April an activist of the Belarusian Popular Front Siarhei Niahatsin received a telephone call from the police, who proposed him to come to the police department and take back the newspapers which had been confiscated from him about a month ago, while he had been distributing them at a market.

12.04.2012 Activists, detained at memorial action, levied with huge fines. Their things got “stolen” from police safe

Anastasiya Shuleika and Yury Khodus, detained during the solemn opening of the memorial sign "River of Memory" at the entrance of the Kastrychnitskaya metro station in Minsk on 11 April, were sentenced to pay huge fines.

12.04.2012 Luninets District Court turns down appeal of trade-union activist Aleh Stakhayevich

Vasil Belski, head of the Luninets District Court, turned down the appeal of the head of the independent trade-union at the "Granite" enterprise Aleh Stakhayevich, against his dismissal.

12.04.2012 Anniversary of 11 April terrorist act marked with detentions

Actions in the memory of victims of the terrorist act of 11 April 2011 were held in different cities of Belarus. Some of their participants were detained by riot policemen.

11.04.2012 Aliaksandr Atroshchankau prevented from leaving for Lithuania again

The coordinator of European Belarus civil campaign had a note allowing exit from the country.

11.04.2012 Residents of Barysau suburb receive come-offs concerning construction of garbage-processing plant

Residents of the villages Stara-Barysau and Pchelnik have been sending collective addresses to various state bodies for more than a month, asking to refrain from the construction of a garbage-processing plant close near their settlements. Residents of the villages Stara-Barysau and Pchelnik have been sending collective addresses to various state bodies for more than a month, asking to refrain from the construction of a garbage-processing plant close near their settlements.

11.04.2012 Brest authorities call to transfer subbotnik money to their account

The official website of Brest City Executive Committee contains an appeal to Brest citizens in which it is stated that April was declared the month of cleaning and planting and a city subbotnik will be held on 21 Apri..

11.04.2012 Pavel Sapelka is nominated for Hrant Dink award

Amnesty International Germany stated the intention to nominate Pavel Sapelka for the International Hrant Dink Award, presented to people who work for a world free of discrimination, racism, and violence, take personal risks for their ideals, use the language of peace and by doing so, inspire and encourage others.

11.04.2012 Slonim authorities ban another anti-nuclear picket

Slonim District Executive Committee prohibited the local democratic activists to hold a picket against the construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus. The official reason is that the application was filled in the wrong way. The organizers intended to hold the action on 26 April, an anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP.

11.04.2012 Vitsebsk: trial on Kavalenka's appeal (video)

On 10 April the consideration of the appeal against three-year personal restraint to Siarhei Kavalenka continued at the Vitsebsk Region Court. The hearing was held in a factually closed regime: only Kavalenka's wife and three activists were admitted to it. The remaining people (several dozens) were told that there were no spare places for them.