Ongoing harassment of Tatsiana Reviaka

The Belarusian tax authorities have joined a campaign of harassment of Tatsiana Reviaka, member of the Council of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and President of the Belarusian Human Rights House in exile.

The Tax Inspection of Minsk Pershamaiski District has urged the human rights defender to submit an income tax and property declaration for the period of the last seven years.

“In pursuance of Art. 12 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Declaration of Income and Property by Individuals”, you are obliged to submit a declaration of income and property not later than October 3, 2012 for the period of 2004-2010,” says a notification received by Mrs. Reviaka on 18 September.

Back in August, Tatsiana Reviaka was interrogated by the KGB. The questioning was reportedly linked to her activities as member of the “Human Rights Defender for Free Elections” observation campaign.

Simultaneously, the KGB questioned a number of students of the Vilnius-based Belarusian Human Rights School headed by Mrs. Reviaka.

Human rights defenders say the new incident is part of a wave of harassment against Viasna members intensified following the sentencing of the organization leader Ales Bialiatski.

During Ales Bialiatski’s trial, Tatsiana Reviaka admitted that she accepted financial resources from Viasna leader meant for human rights activities.