The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for July 2015

08.07.2015 BAJ Protest against the Practice of Fining Journalists for Work

Belarusian Association of Journalists strongly protests against the increasing administrative prosecution of freelance journalists whose materials are published in foreign mass media.

08.07.2015 Salihorsk: human rights appeal against actions of the local Council of Deputies

Human rights activist Leanid Markhotka has appealed to the Minsk Regional Council of Deputies the refusal of the Presidium of the Salihorsk District Council to bring to the next sitting the draft ruling "On Freedom of Peaceful Assembly”.

08.07.2015 There has been no information about Ihar Alinevich for a month already

As reported by the mother of the political prisoner, Valiantsina Alinevich, there hasn't been any information about him for a month already. This fact is of great concern, as the latest news about him back in May were that was placed in the penal cell for a short term.

08.07.2015 Detention facility in Smaliavichy: Disgusting food, bucket instead of toilet, dirty mattress

An activist of European Belarus civil campaign describes confinement conditions in a temporary detention facility in Smaliavichy.

07.07.2015 Book distributor gets detained and fined for “Azov” T-shirt

As reported to the Human Rights Center “Viasna” by a member of the staff of “Backaŭščyna” Nina Shydlouskaya, in the morning on July 7 the police detained Miraslau Lazouski.

07.07.2015 Biaroza activists challenge court verdict regarding picket ban

Biaroza human rights activists have filed an appeal to the Brest Regional Court against a verdict of the Biaroza District Court, which had upheld the prohibition of a picket on March 25 by the local authorities.

07.07.2015 "Station Kharkiv" launches "Targeted Assistance"

The essence of the program "Targeted Assistance" is to help persons in solving very difficult specific problems.

07.07.2015 TV cameraman Dzmitry Zavadski went missing 15 years ago

Belarusian cameraman, journalist of the Russian TV channel ORT (Russian Public Television, now – the First Channel) disappeared exactly 15 years ago, July 7, 2000. At that time he was 27 years old.

06.07.2015 Election monitoring starts in Hrodna

The independent campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” started its activities in the Hrodna region with the proclamation of the presidential elections.

06.07.2015 Brest Regional Court: all applications for pickets must specify whether pyrotechnics would be used

July 6, Brest Regional court turned down the appeal of Baranavičy activist of the Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry Ryhor Hryk against the verdict of Baranavičy City and District Court which on May 21 had turned down his appeal against the prohibition of a May Day picket by the city authorities.

06.07.2015 Fan, underpants and cold rub-downs, that's how Belarusian prisoners survive heat

An anomalous heat has been observed in Belarus for several days already. There are no rains and the temperature reaches 30-32 C.

06.07.2015 1,515 prisoners denied amnesty in Belarus

As of July 2, the Department of Corrections of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has considered the question of amnesty of 2,975 persons who are serving prison terms. 758 of them have been released, including 25 minors. Prison terms have been reduced by one year for 702 prisoners.

06.07.2015 Human rights activist began battle with Customs Committee

May 24, Ašmiany Customs conducted a personal search of human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka at the checkpoint "Kamienny Loh" Ašmiany Customs and seized from him his laptop and printed media. Today, July 6, 2015, Mr. Sudalenka appealed to Ašmiany District Court.

06.07.2015 Homieĺ priest appeals penalty for worship

The pastor of the Church "Transfiguration" Siarhei Nikalayenka, who had been sentenced to a find of 20 basic units (3.6 mln rubles) by Judge of the Centraĺny District Court of Homieĺ Viktar Kazachok for holding a Sunday service, appealed the fine to the Homieĺ Regional Court.

06.07.2015 Media projects on death penalty become winners of festival "AD.NAK!"

July 2 in Minsk, the sixth festival of Belarusian-language festival of advertisement "AD.NAK!" named winners in different nominations and was one of the highlights of the summer.