The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 13 Oct 2014

13.10.2014 Hrodna: administrative case suspended, laptop not returned though

Hrodna resident Volha Krapotsina has received a response from the police bureau of the Hrodna Regional Executive Committee. There it is stated that the printed production, seized from the activist on September 19, was sent for examination, and the administrative case against her was suspended.

13.10.2014 Baranavichy and Brest: death penalty as reflected in cinema

In Brest, there was held a public viewing of the Belarusian language version of the film “Twelve Angry Men” was held within the framework of the campaign “Un-death Penalty. Because We Are People”. The film, which is a classic of the world cinema and was recognized as one of the best court dramas by the American Film Institute, was presented to Brest participants of the language course "Language Anew" ("Mova Nanova").

13.10.2014 Press conference on arbitrary detention of opposition activists

Due to the aggravation of the problem of arbitrary detentions and arrests of opposition activists, October 15 the Human Rights Center "Viasna" holds a press conference to announce a human rights campaign on this issue and present a report prepared in cooperation with the FIDH.

13.10.2014 Vitsebsk human rights defenders disseminate materials against death penalty

Vitsebsk human rights defenders marked the World Day against the Death Penalty by posting stickers with the text “We Are against the Death Penalty” in the city. They also handed out relevant informational production in the center of the city. According to the website “Vitsebsk Viasna”, printed editions were also thrown into postboxes in some houses.

13.10.2014 Political prisoner Alinevich thrown into penal cell

Ihar Alinevich will spend 10 days in a penal cell.

13.10.2014 State bodies reply to BAJ statement

Some state bodies, to which BAJ sent the statement against administrative prosecution of freelance journalists, give unsatisfactory replies.

13.10.2014 Young Christian Democrats demand to put an end to the torture of young activists

The organizing committee of the public association “Young Christian Democrats” issued a statement concerning the systemic administrative prosecution of young activists

13.10.2014 Mahiliou: meeting on the World Day against the Death Penalty

October 10, Mahiliou human rights defenders held an event to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty.

13.10.2014 Biaroza activists call to introduce a moratorium on death penalty

On October 10, World Day against the Death Penalty, Biaroza human rights defenders and civil society activists signed postcards addressed to the President of the country, stating that "the death penalty violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is an extremely cruel, inhuman and degrading kind of punishment."

13.10.2014 Discussion on death penalty held in Babruisk

Babruisk human rights defenders discussed the topic of the death penalty together with students of language courses. The meeting was held on October 10 within the framework of the Week against the Death Penalty in Belarus.

13.10.2014 French Embassy invites to discussion on death penalty

The Embassy of France in Belarus holds a series of events dedicated to the struggle for the abolition of capital punishment, including a discussion in "Facebook" and "VKontakte", officially opened by Elsa Pignol, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Action in Belarus, and a public viewing of the film “Abolition”, followed by a discussion.