The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 18 Dec 2012

18.12.2012 Mikalai Dzemidzenka detained

The possible reason is the anniversary of the post-election protests on December 19.

18.12.2012 Prisoner Mikalay Statkevich Does Not Receive “Novy Chas” Newspaper

The editorial office of the newspaper Novy Chas (New Times) struggles for the right of the political prisoner to get the independent newspaper.

18.12.2012 Hrodna human rights defenders face administrative charges

Hrodna human rights defenders Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Raman Yurhel have been charged with illegal picketing on the Human Rights Day, 10 December, after they were summoned to Leninski District police department to provide explanations on their involvement in the event.

18.12.2012 Mahiliou police unwilling to admit mistakes

Mr. Baleika, head of the police department of Mahiliou regional executive committee, says that the publication on the department’s website does not contain any defamatory data and there are reasons for refuting it, instead of apologizing for a shameful article about human rights defender Barys Bukhel.

18.12.2012 Two years on and the grip tightens on basic freedoms in Belarus

On 19 December 2010, following a presidential poll during which Alyaksandr Lukashenka was elected for a fourth term as President of Belarus, 30,000 protesters gathered in central Minsk to demand a second round of elections.

18.12.2012 Dashkevich and Lobau: Two years behind bars

The Young Front leader was to be released from prison today.

18.12.2012 Aleh Alkayew insists that there exists video of execution of Yury Zakharanka

Aleh Alkayew, the former warden of a death row prison in Minsk who was granted political asylum in Germany in 2001, has said in an interview with Deutsche Welle that there is a video of Yury Zakharanka being executed, and that an objective of his recent secret visit to Belarus was to obtain the video, BelaPAN said.

18.12.2012 Slonim: Unequal opportunities for mass media

Members of the Slonim-based Society of Pro-Democratic Forces have launched a campaign to collect petitions demanding equal opportunities for local newspapers.

18.12.2012 Supreme Court upholds refusing court proceedings in Belarusian

Baranavichy human rights defender Siarhei Housha received yesterday a letter signed by first deputy chairman of the Supreme Court of Belarus A. Fedartsou, which says that there are no grounds for disciplinary proceedings against Judge Petryu of the Court of Baranavichy District and the City of Baranavichy, as well as the chairman of the Court M.A. Kmita. The high official argues that "the law does not provide for the obligation of administering justice in the Belarusian language."

18.12.2012 Brest authorities ban 9 UCP pickets

Brest activists of the United Civil Party submitted 9 applications to the city executive committee asking for permission to stage 9 pickets across the city on 19 December. However, all of them were dismissed, says local UCP leader Uladzimir Vuyek.