The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

15.12.2011 Poznan students hold action in support of political prisoners in Belarus

An action of support to Belarusians who are kept in jail because of their political views was held on 14 December in Poznan (Poland). At the beginning of the action the names of the political prisoners were read out and 12 torches were lit. The organizers of the action reminded about the importance of the solidarity of Poles with the Belarusians who are persecuted for their oppositional activities.

15.12.2011 Baranavichy: Ryhor Hryk appeals against procuracy's warning

Baranavichy-based civil activist Ryhor Hryk applied to the Brest Region Procuracy with an appeal against the warning, issued to him by the Baranavichy prosecutor A.Bildzeuka in connection with “participation in an unauthorized mass event” (the People's Assembly which was held on 8 October).

15.12.2011 Vitsebsk authorities ban another 19 December action

Activist of the “European Belarus” Uladzislau Varanetski applied to the Chyhunachny District Executive Committee of Minsk for authorization of the picket which he intended to hold in the Culture and Recreation Park of Railway Workers on 19 December. By this action he wanted to draw public attention to the problem of political prisoners, including the situation of Andrei Sannikau, who is serving his prison term in “Vitsba-3” colony and who is denied meetings with his counsel.

15.12.2011 Authorities fill budget at oppositionists' expense

Tatsiana Seviarynets, a coordinator of the organizing committee to create the Belarisian Christian Democracy party, appealed against the verdict of the court for holding the People’s Assembly in Vitsebsk.

15.12.2011 Mahiliou: correspondence with authorities instead of People's Assembly

The organizing committee to hold the People’s Assembly in Mahiliou sent a letter to the chairman of the Mahilou District Executive Committee. The organizing committee demanded the official to account for “gross mistakes and blunders in social and economic development of the country”.

14.12.2011 Ukrainian activists support Bialiatski and other prisoners of conscience

One of the seats was left empty to symbolize the virtual presence of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski at the presentation of the annual report of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 8 December. That’s how the All-Ukrainian Association of Civil Human Rights Actions expressed support to Bialiatski.

14.12.2011 19 December actions banned in Vitsebsk

Vitsebsk-based civil activists intended to hold a rally near the so-called “blue house” on Lenin Street and proceed towards Svaboda Square.

13.12.2011 Brest: Hanna Kanius appeals against picket ban

Brest-based civil activist Hannia Kanius filed an appeal against a picket ban issued by the Brest authorities.

13.12.2011 National-Bolshevik fined for action against TV lies

Dzianis Sakhar, an activist of the organizing committee of the National-Bolshevik Party, was fined 1,050,000 rubles.

13.12.2011 Tatsiana Hatsura fined

Human rights activists and journalists were not allowed to enter the court room by two persons in plainclothes. The presiding judge was Andrei Khadanovich.

12.12.2011 Barysau: signature collector Illiushonak gets fined

On 12 December the third hearing on the administrative case of Mikalai Illiushonak took place at the Barysau City Court.

09.12.2011 Brest: trade union activist struggle for freedom of peaceful assemblies

Valiantsin Lazarenkau, head of the Brest regional unit of the Free Trade Union of Belarus, applied to the Brest Region Court, trying to prove that the decisions taken by the Brest City Executive Committee concerning mass events are almost impossible to implement.

09.12.2011 Salihorsk: you need an official permission to be a Santa!

Some Salihorskers wanted to hold a festive New Year action for low-income families, whose members cannot afford to call Santa Claus for their children. They phoned to the education department in order to get the addresses of such families. They said that they have the appropriate costumes and gifts and wanted to hold a charitable action for Salihorsk children.

09.12.2011 Baranavichy: 14 pickets banned in turn

The Baranavichy City Executive Committee denied civil activist Ryhor Makarevich in holding a picket in the old city park on 17 December. By means of this action Makarevich wanted to morally support the people who were in a hard economic situation due to the crisis.