The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

31.05.2012 BCD activist brutally beaten by police

Yet another opposition activist was brutally beaten by police.

Policemen detained Volha Pansevich, an activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party from Slonim, on her way home and took her into a detention facility.

30.05.2012 Orsha authorities ban 14 pickets for free elections

Orsha town executive committee has banned a series of pickets scheduled for 31 May. None of the 14 applications has been sanctioned by local executive officials.

30.05.2012 Aleh Hulak: Despite fairly mild sentence, there is new political prisoner

Head of Belarusian Helsinki Committee has commented on today’s sentence.

28.05.2012 Young Front member Raman Vasilyeu taken into custody for 12 days again

An activist of Young Front was tried today in the Maskouski district court of Minsk.

28.05.2012 Another Young Front activist faces additional charges after 12 days of prison

On 26 May, Raman Vasilyeu, activist of the Young Front opposition movement, was expected to be released after serving 12 days of arrest for public displaying of a white-red-white flag.

25.05.2012 Dzmitry Kramyanetski sentenced to 10 days of arrest

An administrative case against Dzmitry Kramyanetski, who was accused of swearing (article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences), was heard in the Maskouski district court.

25.05.2012 Babruisk police refuse to address smear campaign against local BCD leader

Taisia Kabanchuk, Mahiliou regional leader of the Belarusian Christian Democracy’s organizing committee, has received a reply from local police, saying that they were unable to find the persons who left offensive leaflets in a store where the activist works.

24.05.2012 Young Front activist Yaromenak sentenced to 10 days of arrest

Uladzimir Yaromenak, activist of the Young Front opposition movement, has been sentenced to 10 days of administrative arrest for alleged violation of Art. 17.1 of the Administrative Code (“disorderly conduct”).

23.05.2012 Supreme Court refuses to consider BCD complaint

The Supreme Court will not consider a complaint lodged by the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, says an official reply received by the BCD secretary Dzianis Sadouski.

22.05.2012 Arrested Mikalai Dzemidzenka taken to hospital

Young Front activist Mikalai Dzemidzenka has been guarded from a detention centre to hospital No. 9.

21.05.2012 Baranavichy human rights defender urges MPs to humanize penal legislation

Mrs. Anzhalika Kambalava, member of Baranavichy office of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, has sent an open letter to chairman of the House of Representatives’ Legislation Commission Mikalai Samaseika, together with MPs Sviatlana Pishch and Anatol Vankovich, suggesting humanization of the country’s penal legislation.

21.05.2012 Salihorsk authorities ban Young Front bike ride

Salihorsk town executive officials have banned a bike ride marking the anniversary of the 1995 referendum that introduced new state symbols instead of the historical Pahonia coat of arms and the white-red-white flag.

18.05.2012 Young Front activist faces expulsion for picket of solidarity with Siarhei Kavalenka

Yulia Vinakhodava, activist of the Young Front opposition movement, is facing expulsion from Vitsebsk State College of Technology for taking part in a picket of solidarity with imprisoned activist Siarhei Kavalenka outside the city’s pre-trial prison, www.charter97.org reports.

18.05.2012 Two Young Front activists jailed

Uladzimir Yaromenak and Pavel Siarhei, activists of the Young Front opposition movement, were sentenced to seven and five days of administrative arrest respectively in yesterday’s trial at Minsk Frunzenski District Court.