The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 26 Oct 2012

26.10.2012 Andrei Sannikau asks for political asylum in UK

The leader of European Belarus civic campaign, former presidential candidate and political prisoner claimed there was a threat of a rearrest.

26.10.2012 Brest: former parliamentary candidate’s complaints dismissed

Aliaksandr Melnik, former candidate for Parliament in Brest-based constituency No. 1, has received replies to his complaints of alleged election violations submitted to the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office of Leninski District.

26.10.2012 Sakharov prize awarded to Iranian human rights activists

The decision was taken unanimously. The European Parliament’s for Freedom of Thought prize was awarded to an Iranian human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh and her compatriot a film director Jafar Panahi.

26.10.2012 Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal of former candidate for Parliament Ihar Sluchak

The Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of former candidate for Parliament Ihar Sluchak against a CEC’s decree due to the "absence of the applicant’s right to appeal to court." The Supreme Court explained that the opportunity to appeal decisions of the CEC is not provided by the Electoral Code.

26.10.2012 Baranavichy: administrative charges for free food

Baranavichy entrepreneur Mikalai Charnavus has been charged with illegal organizing of a mass event (Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code), after he arranged a charitable lunch at local market on 6 October.

26.10.2012 Brest human rights defender appeals violations at UN Human Rights Committee

Human rights defender Uladzimir Vialichkin has submitted a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee to challenge a ban on holding a picket in support of the imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski.

26.10.2012 Arche Editor may face criminal charges

The case against the Arche magazine is a political order to destroy the edition, says its founder Andrei Dynko. According to him, the Belarusian authorities are looking for any reason to stop the printing of the independent magazine.

26.10.2012 Dashkevich may be transferred to supermax prison

A decision will be taken by the Mozyr court at a trial in prison on October 30.

26.10.2012 Letters from Statkevich: Political prisoner still cheerful, despite endless pressure by prison administration

For weeks, Maryna Adamovich, the wife of former candidate for president Mikalai Statkevich, had not received letters from her husband. But yesterday came two letters at once.

26.10.2012 Young Christian Democrats denied premises to hold congress

The organizing committee of “The Young Christian Democrats” public association has been denied premises to hold its founding congress, after none of its 14 bids was granted by Minsk authorities.