The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for August 2013

16.08.2013 Mahiliou authorities ban picket of Metalworkers’ Free Trade Union

The event was to be held on August 9 at a location specified for the purposes by the executive committee.

16.08.2013 Police supervision after release from jail

Zmitser Dashkeivch will be placed under police supervision after the release. BelaPAN news agency has learnt it from Anastasia Dashkeivch, the political prisoner's wife.

16.08.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich. Ryhor Yuzepchuk’s “secrets of investigation”

As it became known, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus rejected the appeal of Ryhor Yuzepchuk, an inmate of Mahiliou prison sentenced to death earlier this year. The verdict handed down on Yuzepchuk by the Mahiliou Regional Court for the murder of his cellmate finally entered into force.

16.08.2013 1 mln fine for protest against Russian air base

Leninski District Court of Mahiliou fined yesterday local activist of the United Civil Party Mikalai Hladyshau for staging an unauthorized rally in the center of the city.

15.08.2013 Baranavichy court refuses to consider Prosecutor’s protest on Milavidy Festival case

An activist of the civil campaign "Tell the Truth" Viachaslau Bolbat received a letter from the court of Baranavichy district and the city of Baranavichy signed by Judge Taropina. It reports that the court returns back to the Prosecutor’s Office a protest against the activist’s complaint of the illegal ban on Milavidy Festival imposed by Baranavichy district executive committee.

15.08.2013 BCD Mahiliou coordinator summoned to Investigative Committee

Mrs. Taisiya Kabanchuk, Mahiliou Regional Coordinator of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, is expected to appear at the Office of the Investigative Committee in Babruisk, BCD press service reports.

15.08.2013 Unidentified people beat and attempted to kidnap opposition activist in Polatsk

The oppositionist was attacked by three unidentified people on the eve of an action of solidarity with a political prisoner Mikalaj Statkievich. The charter97.org web-site learnt about the incident from an opposition activist Jauhien Parchynski from Polatsk.

15.08.2013 Andrei Haidukou’s appeal to be heard on 27 August

The cassation appeal of Andrei Haidukou convicted for trying to establish contacts with foreign intelligence agencies will be considered by the Supreme Court on August 27.

15.08.2013 Marek Migalski: We were not allowed to meet with political prisoners

A meeting with political prisoners is an essential demand of the EP's delegation to Belarus. Charter97.org has learnt it from member of the European Parliament Marek Migalski.

15.08.2013 UCP leader faces administrative charges

Anatol Liabedzka, leader of the United Civil Party, and his associate from Babruisk Viktar Buzinayeu face charges of illegal distribution of the newsletter "Voice of Reason", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Belarus service reports.

15.08.2013 Complaint by Mazyr human rights defender to be considered at Homel Regional Court

Human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun appeals a ban on a series of pickets in solidarity with the imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski.

14.08.2013 Chair of Brest Regional Court turns down appeal by independent journalist

Chair of the Brest Regional Court, Tamara Suchok, found no violations in previous court decisions in the case of Milana Kharytonava, who tried to defend her honor, dignity and business reputation.

14.08.2013 Prison authorities see no grounds for revoking reprimands imposed on Ales Bialiatski

The administration of the Babruisk-based penal colony No. 2, where Ales Bialiatski is serving his sentence, replied to an appeal from the Belarusian Association of Journalists demanding milder conditions of his detention.

14.08.2013 Chairman of Shumilina executive committee promotes legal violations

During the recent meeting at Shumilina district executive committee, its chairman U.P. Kuranny said that in order to strengthen labor discipline and prevent workers from being in a state of alcoholic intoxication in the workplace police may use any means, including those that are contrary to the law.

14.08.2013 Homel Regional Court defies constitutional rights of citizens

Judges of the Homel Regional Court, Eleanora Buyankova, Alena Krauchanka and Aliaksandr Khomich, put an end to the dispute between the chairman of the Homel regional office of the Belarusian Party of the Left "Fair World", Uladzimir Siakerka, and border guards who took him off the train referring to the need for “identifying the citizens put on the lists on behalf of law enforcement agencies”, gomelspring.org reports.