The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for November 2013

15.11.2013 Human rights activists report non-critical changes in media environment in Salihorsk

Salihorsk representatives of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee continue to monitor the situation with freedom of speech in the district. The human rights activists say the status quo in this area in recent months is still preserved, with a light movement in the direction of improving the situation.

15.11.2013 Another picket banned in Baranavichy

Baranavichy city executive committee banned a rally under the slogan “They must be stopped”, “Public control for actions of the authorities”. It is said in a letter signed by the deputy chairman of the executive committee Mr. Kastsiukevich received by local trade union activist Ryhor Hryk. The official said that the government would not allow the rally, as the slogan of the claimed mass action violated the requirements of Art. 10 of the Law “On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus”.

15.11.2013 Lohvinau vs. Ministry of Information hearing appointed for November 18

The publisher is trying to appeal the decision to deprive him of his publishing licence.

15.11.2013 Euroradio correspondent office prolongs accreditation in Belarus

PM Mikhail Myasnikovich signed a corresponding decree. It is published at the Belarusian national legal internet-portal.

15.11.2013 Human rights defender Andrei Bandarenka sentenced to 5 days of arrest

The Court of Minsk’s Maskouski district considered yesterday administrative charges brought against the mother of Ihar Ptsichkin who died in Minsk detention center this August and director of a human rights group called “Platform Innovation” Andrei Bandarenka. They were accused of unauthorized picketing.

14.11.2013 Biaroza human rights activists fighting for right to stage pickets

Biaroza human rights defenders sent a letter to Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee Kanstantsin Sumar with a request to oblige local authorities to change its decision on the procedures for holding street events in the district.

14.11.2013 Yarmoshyna tells about presidential election and ban on boycotts

The presidential campaign in Belarus will start in August 2015.

14.11.2013 Activist fined $500 for Dziady action in Homiel

Vasil Palakou was found guilty of “violating the procedure of holding a mass event”.

14.11.2013 Review-chronicle of human rights violations in Belarus in October 2013

October was characterized by consolidation and preservation of negative trends in the field of human rights, which have evolved over the last few months. A positive event, the release of political prisoner Pavel Seviarynets from an open penitentiary, did not change the overall situation and cannot be regarded as a sign of positive momentum, since his release wasn't a consequence of any steps taken by the authorities or a change in the attitude to the problem of political prisoners, but took place after the expiration of the sentence.

14.11.2013 Viasna supports guidelines aimed to define “political prisoner”

A guideline aimed to define the notion of “political prisoner” was presented at the Third Human Rights Forum held in Vilnius in late October.

14.11.2013 UN Human Rights Committee recognized violation of the right to life in Andrei Zhuk's case

Having considered the individual appeal of the death convict Andrei Zhuk, executed in 2010, the UN Human Rights Committee found that his right to life was violated by the Belarusian state.

14.11.2013 Hrodna resident Vadzim Tsiarletski sentenced to three days of arrest

On 13 November the Kastrychnitski District Cour of Minsk considered the administrative case of Vadzim Tsiarletski, detained at the central railway station of Minsk on 12 November.

14.11.2013 Review of the case of the death convict Hrunou appointed on 26 November

On 26 November the Homel Regional Court will hold a new hearing on the criminal case of Aliaksandr Hrunou.

14.11.2013 Police are given judicial functions

Administrative cases brought for appearing in a state of intoxication in public places and in the workplace, as well as for disorderly conduct will no longer be considered in Belarusian courts.

13.11.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich asks Ministry of Communications and Informational Technologies

On 13 November the Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Valiantsin Stefanovich lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Communications and Informational Technologies. He is seeking the disclosure of the authority by whose decision the organization's website was banned from the use in the state agencies and institutions.