The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

01.11.2011 Zhlobin: Valery Rybchanka sentenced to 14 days of arrest

Valery Rybchanka, chairman of the Zhlobin branch of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World”, coordinator of the organizing committee of the People's Assembly in Zhobin, was sentenced to 14 days of arrest on 31 October by Mikalai Bakunou, Judge of the Zhlobin District Court.

26.10.2011 Mazyr human rights defender vs. picket ban

On 19 October, human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun has lodged a complaint with Mazyr District Court against a ban on a picket of solidarity with Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski issued by the town’s executive committee.

18.10.2011 Salihorsk authorities ban anti-torture picket

Aliaksandr Rymasheuski, chair of Salihorsk town executive committee, has ruled to ban a picket against torture reportedly used against the imprisoned Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich. The official ban refers to the applicants’ failure to meet the requirements of Par. 6 Art. 5 of the Mass Events Code.

17.10.2011 Baranavichy authorities ban one more picket

Baranavichy civil activist Ryhor Hryk has not been allowed to stage a picket “For a Life without Lies”, despite his compliance with every formality while submitting the application.

14.10.2011 Appeal of Vitsebsk activists turned down

On 14 October Alena Hrabianchuk, Judge of the Chyhunachny District Court of Vitsebsk, turned down the appeal of Aliaksei Haurutsikau, chairman of the electoral headquarters of Mikalai Statkevich during the presidential election in 2010, Khrystafor Zhaliapau, head of the Vitsebsk region organization of the Movement “For Freedom!”, and a member of the Conservative-Christian Party “Belarusian Popular Front”, Yan Dziarzhautsau.

14.10.2011 Fine to Viktar Ivashkevich

The co-chairman of the organizing committee to hold the People’s Assembly has been fined 1.4 million rubles). The administrative case against the politician was heard in the Savetski district court of Minsk on 13 October.

13.10.2011 Babruisk: Viktar Buzinayeu is summonsed to police

Viktar Buzinayeu, a member of the organizing committee of the People's Assembly in Babruisk, was detained by the police on 8 October, but released without any charges.

13.10.2011 Brest authorities ban more pickets

The Brest City Executive Committee prohibited holding three pickets in Savetskaya Street. The aim of the pickets was drawing public attention to the necessity of ratification of the agreement about the border-line movement with Poland, which would simplify the rules trans-border movement for residents of the 50-kilometer border zone.

13.10.2011 Slonim: Ales Masiuk gets fined as well

On 12 October the Slonim District Court tried Ales Masiuk, a participant of the People's Assembly which had taken place in Slonim on 8 October.

13.10.2011 Homel: silent protest action in circle of riot policemen

About ten youngsters took part in the silent protest action which was held at 7 p.m. on 12 October in Homel. The action participants were surrounded by riot policemen who almost stepped down on their feet. A camera-man made close-ups from the distance of 0,5-1 meter, almost pushing the camera in the participants' faces.

12.10.2011 New rector of International Institute MITSO expels participant of silent protests

Valiantsin Fiadziuk, fourth-year student of the International Institute MITSO (higher educational establishment of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Belarus) was expelled for participation in a silent protest action. The order for his expulsion was signed by the new rector, Stanislau Kniazeu.

12.10.2011 Slonim: detention of Ivan Bedka

On 12 October the Slonim District Court tried Ales Masiuk, a member of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, for active participation in the People’s Assembly in Slonim.

12.10.2011 Brest authorities “deny” activist in holding procession in support of Ales Bialiatski

On 16 October the Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak planned to hold a one-man procession on Kasmanauty Strip in Brest in order to draw the public attention to violalion of the right to freedom of the vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights, chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski.