News for August 2013

Mahiliou human rights defenders appeal ban on picket in support of Ales Bialiatski

20.08.2013 Mahiliou human rights defenders appeal ban on picket in support of Ales Bialiatski

An appeal was lodged with the Leninski District Court of Mahiliou by Barys Bukhel and Aliaksei Kolchyn. The human rights defenders want the Court to cancel Decision of Mahiliou city executive committee of 19 December, 2007 "On Mass Events in the City of Mahiliou," as well as No. 15-12 of June 16, 2010 "On Amendments to Decision No. 25-19 of 19 December, 2007".

Prosecutor wants 6 months of prison for former political prisoner Uladzimir Yaromenak, verdict expected tomorrow morning

19.08.2013 Prosecutor wants 6 months of prison for former political prisoner Uladzimir Yaromenak, verdict expected tomorrow morning

The Court of Minsk’s Pershamaiski district considered today the criminal charges (Art. 421 of the Criminal Code) brought against former political prisoner Uladzimir Yaromenak for alleged violation of parole restrictions imposed on him following his release in August 2011.

19.08.2013 Prison administration refuses to allow rights defender Byalyatski to be visited by wife

The administration of Correctional Institution No. 2 said that it had found no grounds to overturn its decision to bar imprisoned human rights defender Ales Byalyatski from receiving a conjugal visit.

19.08.2013 Radio Svaboda Journalist Denied Accreditation for Belaruskali Press-Conference

Today the Salihorsk office of the largest Belarusian company Belaruskali holds a press-conference; Radio Svaboda failed to get accreditation for the event.

19.08.2013 Lithuanian foreign minister attacks Belarus over nuclear power plant

Lithuania is "surprised and saddened" by Belarus` actions in connection with the construction of a nuclear power plant in the Hrodna region, Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said while commenting on an August 17 public hearing on the expected environmental impact of the future facility, BelaPAN said.

Member of Rechytsa District Council keeps ignoring citizens’ appeals

19.08.2013 Member of Rechytsa District Council keeps ignoring citizens’ appeals

An instruction issued to the chairman of Rechytsa District Council of Deputies failed to clarify the issue of the formation of local budget, says local activist of the Tell the Truth civil campaign Aleh Shabetnik.

Klimavichy authorities ban picket of solidarity with political prisoners

19.08.2013 Klimavichy authorities ban picket of solidarity with political prisoners

Aliaksandr Balobin, civil society activist from Klimavichy district (Homel region), received a reply from local executive committee to his application for holding a picket of solidarity with the country’s political prisoners.

Prosecutor General's Office bounces Young Front’s appeal on recent death in Minsk detention center

19.08.2013 Prosecutor General's Office bounces Young Front’s appeal on recent death in Minsk detention center

The General Prosecutor's Office did not respond to an appeal of the youth organization "Young Front" (registered in the Czech Republic) on the situation with the death of Ihar Ptsichkin in the Minsk-based detention center No. 1. Instead, Prosecutor in charge of supervision over the legality of the execution of criminal penalties, A. Malashevich, forwarded the appeal to the head of the Department of Corrections of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lt. Col. Darashko.

Reply to Vitsebsk opposition activists: decision on mass events to remain unchanged

19.08.2013 Reply to Vitsebsk opposition activists: decision on mass events to remain unchanged

Khrystafor Zhaliapau, coordinator of the Movement "For Freedom" in the Vitsebsk region, received a response to a joint letter from the deputy chairman of the regional executive committee A. Dziulin. More than 40 local residents asked the city executive authorities to reverse their decision on restrictions on holding street protest. The answer of the executive committee officials is negative.

Vitsebsk doctor placed in psychiatric hospital over criticism of authorities

19.08.2013 Vitsebsk doctor placed in psychiatric hospital over criticism of authorities

Ihar Pastnou, a psychiatrist in the regional psychiatric hospital who strongly criticized shortcomings in the health care system of Vitsebsk, became a patient of that same institution shortly after deputy head doctor for ideology said doctor Pastnou’s behavior was "unethical."

19.08.2013 Police raid apartment of blogger who filmed house of head of Svetlahorsk district government

Police raided the apartment of blogger and civil society activist Henadz Zhuleha in Svetlahorsk, Homyel region, on August 17, days after he filmed the luxurious house of the head of the Svetlahorsk District Executive Committee and posted the clip on the Internet.

Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in July 2013

16.08.2013 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in July 2013

In July, the tendency to deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus persisted. 12 political prisoners were still kept behind bars: Ihar Alinevich, Mikalai Autukhovich, Ales Bialiatski, Dzmitry Dashkevich, Mikalai Dziadok, Aliaksandr Frantskevich, Andrei Haidukou, Eduard Lobau, Artsiom Prakapenka, Pavel Seviarynets, Mikalai Statkevich and Yauhen Vaskovich. Dzmitry Miadzvedz and Sviataslau Baranovich continued serving their terms of personal restraint without sending to open penitentiaries, and Andrei Pachobut – his suspended sentence. In June a criminal case was brought against the former political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou for breach of the rules of preventive supervision, and in July a similar criminal case was brought against Uladzimir Yaromenak. Preventive supervision as a means of control and pressure continued to be used against the former political prisoner Pavel Vinahradau. Prophylactic supervision was used towards 25 pardoned and released ahead of schedule. The investigation into the criminal case under Article 193.1, “activities on behalf of an unregistered organization”, against Aliaksei Shchadrou continued.

Belarusian authorities ignore petitions from Chernobyl disaster veterans

16.08.2013 Belarusian authorities ignore petitions from Chernobyl disaster veterans

The Kyiv-based public organization called "Union-Chernobyl-Belarus", chaired by an ambulance paramedic from the town of Zhodzina, Aliaksandr Valchanin, has not received responses to their address with a proposal to unify the "Chernobyl" legislation of Russia and Belarus submitted to the Belarusian parliament, the government and the Ministry of Emergency Situations over a month ago.

Salihorsk civil society activist petitions Constitutional Court

16.08.2013 Salihorsk civil society activist petitions Constitutional Court

Salihorsk civil society activist Uladzimir Shyla considers it necessary to change the practice of executive agencies and courts of general jurisdiction in their repeated bans on public events. Last year alone, the activist received 37 bans on his applications. To change this situation, he submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court.

16.08.2013 Statkievich fainted in prison cell

The political prisoner’s wife Maryna Adamovich reported of the incident.

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