The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for March 2013

18.03.2013 Belarusian Christian Democracy activists detained in Brest

Three activists of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party were detained this afternoon at an action of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners in Brest, the BCD’s press-service reports.

18.03.2013 Free trade union leader to sue employer over dismissal

Viktar Stukau, activist of the Free Trade Union of Belarus, fired for allegedly violating safety rules, is suing his employer. He believes that the administration of the Polatsk-Shklovalakno state-owned enterprise initiated his dismissal on spurious reasons, and the true cause for it was his activities in the independent trade union. The lawsuit is expected to be heard today at Polatsk Town Court.

18.03.2013 Parliament overlooks proposals by NGOs

The Legal Transformation Center (Lawtrend) sent to the Parliament’s Commission on Human Rights a set of proposals for changes in the law on public associations. However, the working group deemed it inappropriate to consider the opinions of NGOs.

18.03.2013 Hrodna court fines BCD activist over picket

Judge Zinaida Bartsevich of Hrodna Kastrychnitski District Court fined today Halina Kotava, local activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, 2.5 mln rubles.

18.03.2013 Tell the Truth campaigns for more control over local budgets

Brest activists of the Tell the Truth civil campaign have lodged a petition with the city executive committee, urging the officials to regularly publish information on spending the budget finances, Radio Racyja reports, quoting the campaign’s activist Ihar Maslouski.

18.03.2013 Belarus deserter gets political asylum in Lithuania

Lithuania grants political asylum to Belarus soldier Sciapan Zacharcanka who can now live in European Union for five years.

17.03.2013 Slonim authorities ban Freedom Day assembly

Mikalai Shykh, deputy chairman of Slonim district executive committee, has issued a ban on holding a meeting to mark the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Belarusian People’s Republic back in 1918.

16.03.2013 Police drop charges against journalist Andrzej Poczobut, his guilt not proved

MINSK, March 15. The Office of the Investigative Committee’s Hrodna regional department completed the investigation of criminal charges brought under Par. 2 of Art. 367 of the Criminal Code (“defamation of the President committed by a person who has previously been convicted of libel”) against Hrodna journalist Andrzej Poczobut, the BelaPAN news agency reports.

16.03.2013 Pavel Seviarynets: “Police brutality is commonplace in Belarus...”

The International Day Against Police Brutality is celebrated worldwide on 15 March, but not in Belarus. It is not common to speak about police brutality. According to political prisoner Pavel Seviarynets, co-chairman of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, we have as a commonplace, rather than the exception.

15.03.2013 Court confirms that ruling of Vitsebsk City Executive Committee is unimplementable

Vitsebsk activists were again trying to implement the ruling of Vitsebsk City Executive Committee "On holding mass events in Vitsebsk", according to which the organizers of mass events had to conclude service agreements with the public utilities, police and the central polyclinic.

15.03.2013 Freedom Day procession is authorized, but the use of flags and posters is banned

Minsk City Executive Committee authorized the meeting and procession in honor of Freedom Day on 24 March. However, the place of gathering was transferred to the ground in front of "Kastrychnik" cinema.

15.03.2013 Constitution of Belarus was adopted 19 years ago

Today, Belarus celebrates a national holiday, Constitution Day.

15.03.2013 Preventive supervision over Uladz Yaromenak extended for six months

The appropriate decision was taken by Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk on 15 March.

15.03.2013 Dzmitry Kanavalau's family may refrain from any contacts because of threats on the part of security services

A year ago the death verdict to Uladzislau Kavaliou and Dzmitry Kanavalau was executed. Liubou Kavaliova has been struggling for the right to bury his son ever since.