Navapolatsak Prosecutor’s Office Warns Viasna Member about Possible Responsibility for Acting on behalf of the Liquidated Organization

On March 1 Navapolatsak prosecutor’s office informed Dzmitry Salawyow, representative of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, that “in case he represents the unregistered Human Rights Center “Viasna” or acts on behalf of the above mentioned organization, he might face charges under Art 167.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences”.
Dzmitry Salawyow was told Navapolatsak city administration and Justice Department of Vitebsk region administration informed the prosecutor’s office that in December 2003 – January 2004 somebody distributed a newsletter containing information about activities of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and articles on behalf of this organization. The memo, signed by Uladzimir Kamarow, head of Navapolatsak city administration, says “the above-mentioned circumstances demonstrate the intention to act on behalf of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, which is not registered in the appropriate order”.
Dzmitry Salawyow considers the prosecutor’s decision illegal. He was mentioned in the newsletter as a person, not a representative of the organization. Salawyow thinks, the pressure on him is just an attempt to intimidate him and stop his human rights activity. “This is just another event among cases of pressure on human rights activists in our country”, -- he comments.