The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for July 2013

19.07.2013 Human rights defenders across Belarus seeking permission to demonstrate in support of Ales Bialiatski

Human rights defenders across the country are going to stage pickets on 4 August to mark two years since the arrest of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski. In particular, applications were submitted to local executive authorities in Mahiliou, Hrodna, Baranavichy, Biaroza and Brest.

19.07.2013 Mother and sister of Uladzislau Kavaliou urge court to disclose place of burial

Liubou Kavaliova and Tatsiana Kaziar, mother and sister of Uladzislau Kavaliou sentenced to death and executed on March 15, 2012 on charges of plotting and committing a terrorist attack on Minsk subway, addressed the court of Kastrychnitski district with a complaint about the illegal actions of the Department of Corrections, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Committee.

19.07.2013 Babruisk police raid apartment of civil society activist

The apartment of Valiantsina Kavalenka, an activist of a civil Initiative against lawlessness in the courts and the prosecutor's offices, was searched by Babruisk police. As the woman told human rights defenders, the police searched her home for drugs.

19.07.2013 Iryna Khalip freed from punishment, but she does not consider herself free

The Court of Minsk’s Partyzansky district waived today the criminal penalty imposed on journalist Iryna Khalip after she was sentenced to two years' imprisonment suspended for two years on May 16, 2011 for alleged involvement in the so-called mass riots in Minsk on December 19, 2010.

19.07.2013 Minsk Regional Court rejects picket ban appeal

The judicial board of Minsk Regional Court upheld Salihorsk district court's decision to ban a rally on Freedom Day applied for by a local pro-democratic activist Uladzimir Shyla.

18.07.2013 Belarus Foreign Minister visits EU: FIDH calls demonstration for human rights in Brussels

Belarus Foreign Minister, Vladimir Makey will be in Brussels on Monday 22 July after the EU lifted the travel ban against him in June, despite the absence of progress on the situation of human rights in Belarus and the fact that 12 political prisoners remain behind bars. FIDH is organising a demonstration at Rond-point Schuman on 22 July at 12:00 CET.

18.07.2013 Salihorsk court evades considering lawsuit against local TV channel

Salihorsk District Court dismissed a lawsuit of the UCP member Viktar Malochka against the state-owned TV channel. According to Judge Alla Trafimchuk, the applicant failed to pass the prior-court proceedings.

18.07.2013 Amnesty International: Activist facing jail for helping the homeless

Aliaksei Shchadrou is facing a two-year prison term in Belarus for acting on behalf of an unregistered religious organization. If jailed he will be a prisoner of conscience.

18.07.2013 Organizer of Milavidy Festival faces third administrative penalty

The organizer of the Milavidy Festival in honor of the rebels of 1863, Viktar Syrytsa, is facing another administrative charge for preparing and carrying out an unauthorized open-air event.

18.07.2013 Supreme Court confirms death verdict to Ryhor Yuzepchuk

In July 2012, two inmates held at Mahiliou prison murdered their cellmate. The guilty verdict came on April 25, 2013 at Mahiliou Regional Court. One of the prisoners, Ryhor Yuzepchuk, was sentenced to capital punishment. The sentence was later appealed to the Supreme Court.

17.07.2013 Statkevich’s letter sent to Prosecutor’s Office

According to Maryna Adamovich, wife of the political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich, he is facing more obstacles in his correspondence. Earlier, letters from Statkevich simply did not pass censorship, while letters sent to him “disappeared” or if the letter was sent by registered mail the political prisoner only received an empty envelope.

17.07.2013 Uladzimir Labkovich: Europe’s concessions give regime perception of permissiveness

While the EU is softening its attitude towards the Belarusian regime, two new political prisoners may appear in the country.

17.07.2013 25 non-profit organizations suggest holding parliamentary hearings on improving NPO legislation

On July 16, the parliament and government of Belarus received a collective petition of 25 non-profit organizations with a proposal to hold parliamentary hearings on the issue of improving the legislation governing the activities of NPOs.

17.07.2013 Salihorsk human rights defender keeps opposing illegal travel ban threats

In search of the truth in a dispute with Salihorsk public utility center, local human rights defender Leanid Markhotka lodged a statement with the prosecutor of Minsk region.

17.07.2013 Iryna Khalip’s trial will take place on 19 July

The trial of a journalist Iryna Khalip will take place on Friday in the court of Minsk’s Partisan district. She informed the charter97.org web-site about that today.