The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

26.03.2014 Vitsebsk CCP-BPF activist sentenced to 7 days of arrest over picketing

The Pershamaiski District Court of Vitsebsk considered today the case of a member of the Conservative Christian Party Belarusian Popular Front Yan Dziarzhautsau charged with participating in an unauthorized mass event on March 22. On March 25, he was detained by police when he was returning from Freedom Day celebrations. The night before the trial he was held in temporary detention.

23.03.2014 March 25 rally in Biaroza banned over inciting national hatred

Biaroza human rights defenders Tamara Shchapiotkina and Siarhei Rusetski, who were going to hold a picket on March 25, Freedom Day, had little time to get ready for the event, which was initially allowed by the local executive committee.

20.03.2014 Biaroza police refuse to guard Freedom Day rally

Biaroza human rights defenders Siarhei Rusetski and Tamara Shchapiotkina have been unable to enter into a contract with the local police department in order to hold a picket scheduled for March 25. Police representatives referred to the fact that the Executive Committee had not written to them after it received an application for holding the picket, as provided by a Decree of the Council of Ministers of March 5, 2012, in order to discuss the possibility of maintaining public order at the mass event.

17.03.2014 UCP Homel activist sentenced to 10-day arrest over picketing

Judge Siarhei Sheustruk of Homel’s Savetski district found UCP member Uladzimir Shytsikau guilty of violating procedures for organizing a mass event and punished him with 10 days of arrest. The hearing took place without witnesses, as one who wanted to support the detainee was allowed in the courthouse.

17.03.2014 Vaukavysk activist Vital Huliak fined 1.3 mln over solidarity with Ukraine

Vital Huliak, an opposition activist of the town of Vaukavysk, Hrodna region, has been sentenced to a fine of 1.3 mln rubles by the Vaukavysk District Court. He was detained by police on March 13 for staging a picket in support of Ukraine. Vital Huliak came out with a Ukrainian flag and the banner "No to War! Putin Out!" The trial was scheduled for March 14, but was adjourned till the 17th.

15.03.2014 Homel activist Uladzimir Shytsikau detained for anti-war picketing

March 15, activists of the United Civil Party held an anti-war picket near the large department store “Reshytski”. Its participants held posters with the slogans “We demand honest elections!” “Return elections!”, “23 March – another non-election”.

15.03.2014 Baranavichy: Uladzimir Hundar to be tried on March 21

March 4, Uladzimir Hundar held a one-man picket of solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the center of Baranavichy. The activist came out to the city center with a blue-yellow Ukrainian flag on his shoulders and a large poster “Putin's gang-aggressors – get out of Ukraine and Belarus!”.

14.03.2014 Vaukavysk resident to be tried for solidarity with Ukraine

A Vaukavysk activist Vital Huliaka held an action against Russia’s intervention in Ukraine’s domestic affairs.

13.03.2014 Mahiliou police disrupt action “For Decent Roads”

The organizer of the spring action of motorists Illia Palonnikau was given administrative charges, the police took away two laptops during the examination of his apartment.

13.03.2014 Navapolattsk activists apply for picketing on Freedom Day

In Navapolatsk, representatives of political parties and democratic civil society organizations filed an application for a picket on Freedom Day, March 25.

13.03.2014 Brest: court punishes participants of electoral picket with fines

Leader of the Brest regional UCP branch Uladzimir Vuyek was fined 25 basic units, and activists of the party Dyiana Kastsiukovich and Yury Zhydovich – 10 basic units each.

13.03.2014 Babruisk authorities want to punish two people for picket of solidarity with Ukraine

On March 6 evening, a picket against the outbreak of war in Ukraine was held by two local activists. One of them, activist of the local branch of the Independent Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry Halina Smirnova, was caught by a policeman near her home, but was not detained.

12.03.2014 Opposition candidate unable to overcome censorship of his campaigning materials by printing house

Vitsebsk independent candidate Aliaksei Haurutsikau cannot exercise his right to print campaign materials in the state-owned newspaper isued in the town of Dubrouna, due to the refusal of its chief editor. The Central Election Commission supported the position of the editor.

12.03.2014 Homel activists get jailed for solidarity with Ukraine

The Homel activists Zmitser Karashkou and Stanislau Bula who had been detained near the embassy of Russia in Minsk were sentenced to 15 and 11 days in custody respectively.