The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

08.02.2012 Two “Young Front” activists detained in Baranavichy

The Baranavichy police detained the “Young Front” activists Yaraslau Hryshchenia and Vadzim Vashkevich who were handing out leaflets with the diagram according to which the exchange rate of the US dollar increased tenfold for the last ten years. Moreover, as it is stated in the leaflet, the state debt of Belarus became six times larger for the last five years.

01.02.2012 Tatsiana Seviarynets asks procuracy to inspect tuberculosis hospital

Tatsiana Seviarynets, a coordinator of the steering committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party (BCD), applied to the Vitsebsk Regional Procuracy with the request to hold a check-up at the Vitsebsk regional tuberculosis hospital in the settlement of Bahusheusk. According to her information, rights of patients are violated there. In particular, they are threatened with repressions for any complaints about the conditions and medical treatment.

01.02.2012 Supreme Court turns down appeal against verdict to political prisoner Eduard Lobau

The Supreme Court of Belarus didn’t grant the appeal against the verdict to the activist of the “Young Front” Eduard Lobau, according to which he was sentenced to 4 years in high-security prison, as the testimonies of the “victims” in the case were allegedly trustworthy.

01.02.2012 Under-aged Lobau fined for spilling noodles at the entrance of Belarusian State TV and Radio Company

The Maskouski district administrative commission of Minsk considered the case of Uladzislau Lobau, an under-aged activist of the Belarusian National-Bolshevik Party who took part in spilling noodles and scattering leaflets at the entrance of the Belarusian State TV and Radio Company on 3 December 2011. The youngsters did it to express their protest against false information regularly spread by the state media.

01.02.2012 Belarusian Helsinki Committee addresses Commission for Pardons

Representatives of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee are seeking to attend the sitting of the Commission for Pardons which will consider the case of the death convicts Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavaliou, found guilty of terrorist act in the Minsk metro and a number of other episodes.

30.01.2012 Belarusian Helsinki Committee asks General Procuracy to check information about torture of Andrei Sannikau

The reason for the appeal of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee to the General Procuracy is information which was filed by the wife of former presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau, Iryna Khalip at a press conference in Minsk on 25 January.

30.01.2012 MIA finds nothing wrong with refusal of Orsha police to conclude service agreement

The Orsha human rights defenders Vasil Berasneu and Vasil Leuchankau received an answer from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to their complaint concerning the refusal of the Orsha City Police Department to conclude an agreement for serving their picket.

27.01.2012 Mahiliou authorities ban “Fair World” picket

Members of the Mahiliou region branch of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World” intended to hold a picket at 12 a.m. on 28 January in order to protest against the people's pauperization. The picket was to have taken place at the “Khimik” stadium, the only place determined for opposition's actions by a special ruling of the city authorities. However, the authorities refused to authorize the action. The alleged reason is that a mass sportive event will be held at the stadium at the specified time.

23.01.2012 Belarusian Activist Faces Eviction, Loss Of Parental Rights

BABRUYSK, Belarus -- An opposition activist in eastern Belarus is facing eviction from her home and could also be divested of her parental rights, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.

19.01.2012 Slonim court turns down complain by local BPF leader

On 19 January, Slonim District Court dismissed an appeal against a decision by the town executive committee to ban a series of pickets of solidarity with Ales Bialiatski.

19.01.2012 Belarusian Christian Democracy denied registration again

The Belarusian Christian Democracy party has been denied state registration for the fourth time straight, said Minister of Justice Aleh Slizheuski at a press-conference on 19 January.

18.01.2012 BCD Mahiliou leader faces dismissal

Aleh Aksionau, chair of Mahiliou city office of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, has been informed that his employment contract would not be extended by the administration of local house building factory, the Narodnaya Volya newspaper reports.

16.01.2012 Fair World Brest office keeps fighting for registration

Brest city office of the Belarusian Leftist Party Fair World has submitted another bid for state registration after the party’s activists received a communication from the city’s executive committee saying that the issue was under the administration’s control.