The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for September 2014

12.09.2014 Investigation committee finds no corpus delicti in actions of policemen who groundlessly detained Alena Dubanosava for three days

Mikashevichy trade union activist Leanid Dubanosau has received a reply to his complaint concerning the detention of his wife Alena Dubanosava and her placement in a pre-trial prison for three days.

12.09.2014 Mozyr: human rights activist appeals picket ban

On September 10, the Mazyr District Court held a preliminary hearing on the appeal of a human rights activist Uladzimir Tseliapun against the decision of the Chairman of the Mozyr District Executive Committee Siarhei Hvozdz and his deputy Feliks Haliuk to ban a picket organized by him.

11.09.2014 Delegation of US government meets with “Viasna” leadership

A United States Government Inter-Agency delegation from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Departments of State and Defence completed a two and a half day official visit to Minsk.

11.09.2014 New method: judge determines “extremism” by reading book titles

September 8, an activist of the anarchist movement Raman Khalilau was released after a ten-day. He told the Human Rights Centre "Viasna" how the judge defined the "extremist" content of the books, booklets and newspapers seized from him.

11.09.2014 KYRGYZSTAN: The Supreme Court refuses to review the sentencing of Mr. Azimjan Askarov to life imprisonment

Paris-Geneva, September 9, 2014. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), condemns the latest court decision regarding the sentencing of human rights defender Azimjan Askarov to life imprisonment.

11.09.2014 Statement by the Head of the US Government Interagency Delegation on the Conclusion of Their Official Visit to Belarus

A United States Government Inter-Agency delegation from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Departments of State and Defense completed a two and a half day official visit to Minsk.

11.09.2014 Enforced disappearances of the political opponents of the authority

Individual Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review was prepared by the human rights organization "Belarusian Documentation Center" within the framework of preparation of the alternative report of Belarusian NGOs. These documents on the Republic of Belarus will be considered at the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in May-June 2015.

11.09.2014 Ex-political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich freed from preventive supervision

September 10, the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk withdrew preventive supervision from a former political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich.

11.09.2014 Ecological picket banned in Salihorsk

Salihorsk City Executive Committee did not authorize a picket in the central square, aimed at collecting signatures for a healthy environment.

11.09.2014 Viktar Statkevich and Maryna Adamovich ask police to find author of anonymous threat letter

The father of Mikalai Statkevich, Viktar Statkevich, and the five of the former, Maryna Adamovich, appealed to the police in connection with an anonymous threat letter, thrown into the postbox of Viktar Statkevich on September 8.

11.09.2014 Human rights situation discussed in Brest

September 7, the human rights situation in the Brest region was discussed by the local human rights defenders and civil society activists. The discussion was held in Brest.

11.09.2014 Mahiliou: unidentified people punctured tires of Ihar Barysau's car

All in all, 16 punctures were counted at the service station.

10.09.2014 Yury Rubtsou to be tried for insulting judge

The hearings on the criminal case will start at 3 p.m. on September 16 at the Tsentralny District Court of Minsk. The case will be considered by Judge Natallia Vaitsekhovich.

10.09.2014 Baranavichy: Mikalai Charnafus defends his honor and dignity at court

September 9, individual entrepreneur Mikalai Charnavus filed a lawsuit to protect his honor and dignity to the Baranavichy City and District Court. He appeals the actions of the deputy head of the Baranavichy City Police Department Eldar Vilchkouski.

10.09.2014 “Young Front” activist Andrei Tsianiuta appeals his expulsion from university

June 30, the Tsentralny District Court of Homel refused to initiate civil proceedings on Andrei Tsianiuta's claim to the university, because he didn't implement the requirement of the pre-trial settlement. However, after the First Deputy Minister of Education upheld the expulsion of Mr. Tsianiuta, the trial had nothing left to do but to start the proceedings on the merits.