The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 11 May 2012

11.05.2012 Vitsebsk entrepreneur Iryna Yaskevich harassed by tax inspection

Iryna Yaskevich, organizer of "People's Assemblies" and an activist of the entrepreneurs' movement, received an order from the district tax inspection to provide income and assets declaration for the last ten years.

11.05.2012 Brest activists collect signatures against persecution of Pavel Vinahradau

Former political prisoner, a member of the civil campaign "Tell the Truth" Pavel Vinahradau regularly receives administrative penalties. As a result, he can be subject to new criminal persecution.

11.05.2012 Baranavichy activist complains to Lukashenka about prosecutors

On 11 May civil activist Ryhor Hryk (in the photo) addressed A. Lukashenka with a complaint about actions of the Prosecutor General, the prosecutor of Baranavichy and the prosecutor of the Brest region.

11.05.2012 Rahachou authorities ban pickets in support of "Dazhynki" festival

Civil activists of Rahachou intended to hold several pickets and an assembly in the district Culture Palace within the framework of the campaign "Let's return "Dazhynki" to Rahachou!". However, Rahachou District Executive Committee banned all these events.

11.05.2012 Alena Kavalenka suspects her husband has resumed his hunger-strike

Siarhei Kavalenka has not been given a meeting with his wife in Vitsebsk remand prison.

11.05.2012 Who hires internet-trolls?

A freelance site offers a project to troll pro-opposition Internet forums in Belarus.

11.05.2012 Prison guards refuse to accept food parcels for Dzmitryieu and Pashkevich

Activists of “Tell the Truth!” campaign and some people from neighboring villages and summer cottages communities gathered near the police department of the Smaliavichy district.

11.05.2012 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in April 2012

April was marked by first steps towards de-escalation of the political conflict between the Belarusian authorities and the European Union. Two political prisoners were released as a result – former presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau and his electioneering agent Dzmitry Bandarenka (on 14 and 15 April respectively). In response to this move the EU refused to take further sanctions against Belarus, while stressing the need to release all political prisoners at the meeting of 23 April.