The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for February 2013

17.02.2013 Autukhovich not to apply for clemency

This was told by an activist from the district center of Haradok Leanid Haravy, referring to a letter received from the political prisoner. In particular, Leanid Haravy says: “In my previous letter I wrote to him that the head of state was waiting for at least three words from political prisoners – “Please release me”. However, Autukhovich said he was not going to write even three words.

17.02.2013 Homel Regional Court overturns conviction of Fair World member

Homel Regional Court overturned on 15 February the decision of Zhlobin District Court to hand down three years of suspended imprisonment to a member of the Fair World party Yauhen Basareuski.

17.02.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich: On Pornography

A curious statement was made by Uladzimir Rabavolau, deputy chairman of the Operations and Analytical Centre (OAC) at the President’s Administration, in his interview to Radio Liberty last week. According to him, the websites blocked for public access by resolutions of the OAC of June 29, 2010, may appeal the restrictions with the authorities. And, if they fix the alleged flaws, access will be restored.

15.02.2013 Homel authorities say painting the monument to Lenin is a sign of insanity

The architecture and city building board of the Homel City Executive Committee gave an answer to the application of the civil activist Kastus Zhukouski who asked to be allowed to paint the monument to Lenin in the center of the city.

15.02.2013 Belarus considered to be one of the most censored countries

Committee to Protect Journalists listed Belarus among the ten most censored countries on the globe, along with Eritrea, North Korea, Syria, Iran, Equatorial Guinea, Uzbekistan, Burma, Saudi Arabia and Cuba. Interestingly, Belarus is the only European country on the list.

15.02.2013 Aliaksei Stuk: penalties to Bialiatski and Statkevich match their crimes

"There are some shortcomings in Belarusian prisons, but they don't exceed the framework of the Criminal-Executive Code and other legal acts", stated the deputy Prosecutor General Aliaksei Stuk.

15.02.2013 Political prisoner Yauhen Vaskovich spent more than 150 days in penal cell

Yauhen Vaskovich has been kept in the penal cell almost every fourth day of his conviction since the announcement of the verdict. He has received more than 40 reprimands and has been put in the penal cell for more than 20 times. As a result, according to the responsible secretary of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Dzianis Sadouski, he spent there more than 150 days.

15.02.2013 No criminal case on battery of Yuliya Stsiapanava

The Frunzenski District Police Department of Minsk refused to bring a criminal case concerning the assault and battery of the activist of the "European Belarus" Yuliya Stsiapanava.

15.02.2013 Brest City Council reluctant to inform the population on budget issues

This follows from the answer received by the head of the Brest regional organization of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party "Hramada" Ihar Maslouski.

14.02.2013 Iryna Khalip allowed to meet with her husband in the UK

The spouse of the former presidential candidate was granted the possibility to temporarily leave Belarus.

14.02.2013 The Ministry of Justice refused to register "Young Christian Democrats"

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus refused to provide the legal status to the civil association "Young Christian Democrats". This information was provided to BelaPAN by the responsible secretary of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Dzianis Sadouski.

14.02.2013 "Human Rights Center "Lambda" got another registration denial

The "Human Rights Center "Lambda" (the name under which the human rights project "GayBelarus" is trying to legalize its activities) was denied the state registration by a letter of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus dated 8 February 2013. The document was signed by the head of the board of non-profit organizations, Alena Kirychenka.

14.02.2013 Ales Bialiatski deprived of meetings for the next six months

Ales Bialiatski has been deprived of all meetings scheduled for the next six months. On 13 February this information was confirmed by the administration of the Babruisk colony #2 where he is currently kept.

14.02.2013 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in January 2013

The first month of 2013 brought no changes in the human rights situation. Twelve political prisoners were still held in jail, the investigation of the cases concerning the disappearance of political opponents of Lukashenka in 1999 (Yu. Zakharanka, V. Hanchar and A. Krasouski) was again extended by three months, persecution and pressure on civil society and political activists, human rights defenders and independent media continued.

13.02.2013 The review appeal against the death verdict to Uladzislau Kavaliou remains unconsidered by the head of the Supreme Court

The counsel Stanislau Abrazei who defended Uladzislau Kavaliou, sentenced to death for the alleged involvement in terrorism, addressed the head of the Supreme Court with the demand to urgently consider the review appeal against the death verdict. According to the law, it was to have been done back in October 2012.