The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for June 2012

13.06.2012 Political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou appeals his sentence

The activist of the civil campaign "European Belarus" Vasil Parfiankou filed an appeal with the Minsk City Court. He head been sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment as a participant of the peaceful post-election protests in the center of Minsk on 19 December 2010. He was granted parole in August 2011. However, in January 2012 the police established a prophylactic supervision over Mr. Parfiankou, and later he was sentenced to 6 months of arrest for violating its regime.

13.06.2012 Investigation committee refuses to investigate beating of teenager by police

The Investigation Committee refused to open a criminal case against policemen over beating a teen in the town of Kalinkavichy.

13.06.2012 Political prisoner Lobau restricted in number of visits and parcels

Eduard Lobau was punished in accordance with article 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code (discipline violations). RFE/RL learned it from Maryna Lobava, the mother of the political prisoner, who received a phone call from him.

13.06.2012 Belarus: Continuing Human Rights Concerns

Submission to the 20th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

12.06.2012 Minsk City Court refuses to punish Judge Siamak

In March the deputy head of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Valiantsin Stefanovich was put on the list of the people who are temporary prohibited to travel abroad.

12.06.2012 Brest activists dissatisfied with answer of Natural Resources Ministry

The appeal of Brest residents to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection was caused by the unsuccessful attempts to get the local authorities solve the problem of the unpleasant smell in the city districts located near the river of Mukhavets.

12.06.2012 Human Rights House Foundation insists on appointment of UN Rapporteur on Belarus

In a joint report, the Belarusian Human Rights House and the Human Rights House Foundation underline the lack of willingness by the Belarusian authorities to fully cooperate with the United Nations human rights system. The report also stresses the consequences.

11.06.2012 Aliaksandr Malchanau not allowed to attend mother’s funeral

They say in Zhodzina detention center that the political prisoner cannot bid farewell to his mother.

11.06.2012 Deputy head of Presidential Administration breaks his promise to accept citizens

On 7 June the deputy head of the Presidential Administration Valer Mitskevich didn’t keep his earlier promise to accept representatives of a civil initiative against lawlessness at courts and procuracies. This was stated to a “Novy Chas” journalist by the leader of the civil initiative, lawyer Tamara Siarhei.

11.06.2012 Proposals on humanization of criminal-executive legislation can sink in bureaucratic correspondence

Anzhalika Kambalava, a member of the Baranavichy city branch of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, received an answer from the deputy head of the regular commission on national security of the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly Anatol Vankovich, to whom he had sent a proposal on humanization of the criminal-executive legislation towards convicts.

11.06.2012 Baranavichy residents demand amendment of electoral legislation

Civil activist Ryhor Hryk collected 105 signatures of local citizens under an appeal for amendment of the electoral legislation of Belarus.

11.06.2012 Lida: court turns down Andrei Charnavusau's appeal

On 8 June the Lida District Court considered the appeal of Andrei Charnavusau against a ruling of the draft board, by which he was denied the right to choose alternative civilian service instead of military service. The case was considered by Judge Yermakovich. The interests of the draft board were represented by three members of the commission including its chairman.

11.06.2012 Distributor of "Vitebskiy Kuryer" gets fined

On 6 June the Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk considered an administrative case against Siarhei Kandakou. He was tried on the basis of a police report, drawn up on 2 May, when the police confiscated 18 copies of the "Vitebskiy Kuryer" he intended to throw into postboxes.

11.06.2012 Siarhei Kavalenka transferred from quarantine to work brigade

Several days ago Alena Kavalenka, wife of the political prisoner Siarhei Kavalenka, found out he had been transferred from the quarantine department of Mahiliou colony #19, to work brigade #5.

11.06.2012 Sannikau's lawyer appeals foreign travel restrictions

Lawyer Maryna Kavaleuskaya filed complaints to the Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the actions by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Defence in connection with a travel ban imposed on her.