The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for April 2015

09.04.2015 Human rights activists: the authorities want to get Rubtsou isolated for the time of the presidential campaign

Human rights activists register the general deterioration of the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and an increased pressurization aimed at forcing them to concessions. This was stated in an commentary given by human rights activist Tatsiana Reviaka on the arrest of political prisoner Yury Rubtsou and the new criminal case against him.

08.04.2015 Human rights organizations demand to stop pressurization of Mikalai Statkevich

Legal Transformation Centre Lawtrend and Human Rights Centre "Viasna" filed a appeal to the Department of Corrections and the administration of the penal colony №17 in Shklou concerning the increased pressure on the political prisoner..

08.04.2015 Homel socio-political centre is searched, police seize computers

The police are searching the socio-political centrein Paleskaya Street, 52 in Homel. According to the deputy chair of the United Civil Party Vasil Paliakou, the policemen came to the socio-political centre, where a number of public movements and organizations rent offices, with a search warrant, issued by the prosecutor.

08.04.2015 Homel human rights activist wanted

Seven policemen in plain-clothes who introduced themselves as drug officers visited the public and political center in Homel.

07.04.2015 What diseases free prisoners from punishment?

What is the list of diseases giving the right to such a judgment? Is it possible to challenge such a verdict? What is the probability of committing a new crime by a person exempt because of having a disease?

07.04.2015 Salihorsk human rights activist can't obtain a copy of “secret” ruling of executive committee for several months

For several months already Salihorsk human rights activist Leanid Markhotkahas been unable to get a copy of the “secret” ruling of the Salihorsk District Executive Committee which restricts the rights of citizens to freedom of peaceful assembly in the district.

07.04.2015 Yury Rubtsou may be given official charges today

April 6, political prisoner Yury Rubtsou was taken to the Pruzhany district department of the Investigative Committee due to instigation of criminal proceedings under Article 415 of the Criminal Code, evasion from serving penalty in the form of deprivation of liberty). The article envisages up to three years in prison. Today in the evening he may be presented official charges.

06.04.2015 Decree "On prevention of social dependency" turns all citizens in "obliged persons"

Being a human rights activist, I cannot but make a few observations regarding the Decree No. 3, by which the Presidential Administration amused Belarusian citizens (as well as foreign citizens and even persons without citizenship) last week.

06.04.2015 Ecological activist Stanislau Ramanovich arrested for 15 days

April 6, ecological activist, detained Stanislau Ramanovich, detained on April 5 in Minsk, was tried at the Tsentralny District Court of Minsk.

06.04.2015 New criminal case instigated against Yury Rubtsou

April 6, political prisoner Yury Rubtsou was taken to the Pruzhany District Department of the Investigative Committee from the open corrective facility No. 7 in the village of Kuplin, together with his personal belongings.

06.04.2015 Minsk Regional Court upholds prohibition of Human Rights Day picket

Minsk Regional Court dismissed the cassation appeal of the human rights activist Leanid Markhotka.

06.04.2015 Krychau police found no violations in the activities of the head of ideological department

Publisher of the newspaper "Volny Horad" Uladzimir Kudrautsau (pictured) received a response to his appeal to the prosecutor of the Krychau district concerning illegal actions of the head of the department for ideology, culture and youth affairs of the Krychau District Executive Committee, Maryna Maksimava.

06.04.2015 Svetlahorsk: social activist denied employment

Civil society activist Ihar Pesikau has been trying to get employed for several years already. The local authorities are consequently making him a “social parasite”.

06.04.2015 Baranavichy activist files supervisory appeal against picket ban

April 3, human rights activist from Baranavichy Siarhei Housha filed a supervisory complaint to the chairman of the Brest Regional Court in the case of banning picketing on the occasion of the Human Rights Day.

06.04.2015 Mikalai Statkevich may face another criminal case

Over the last week the political prisoner was issued a number of penalties. The prison administration drew up eight acts about it. As reported by his wife, Maryna Adamovich, the political prisoner has been deprived of the short-term meeting with her, appointed on April, and a food parcel.