News on the topic: freedom of association
15.02.2012 Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh still struggles for proper acquittal
On 15 February Aliaksandr Suzhayeu, Judge of the Homel Regional Court, considered the appeal of activist of the United Civil Party and Movement “For Freedom!” Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh against the ruling of the Tsentralny District court of Homel which upheld the dropping of his case because of the impossibility to prove his guilt.
13.02.2012 Three activists of “European Belarus” detained in Dziarzhynsk
The activists of the “European Belarus” Uladzimir Dzenisevich, Anatol Zhuletnikau and Aliaksandr Tarnahurski were detained at 1.30 p.m. on 11 February, while trying to hang out a streamer with the inscription “Freedom to Bialiatski!”.
10.02.2012 Baranavichy: Mikalai Charnavus gets fined by court
On 10 February the Baranavichy City Court considered administrative case against the head of the steering committee of the Ukrainian diaspora association “Kobzar”, Mikalai Charnavus. Judge Stanislau Pivavarau summoned to the trial a representative of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee Siarhei Piatsihorau and police major Vital Dabrachynski.
07.02.2012 Three participants of solidarity rallies expelled from Minsk Linguistic University
On 6 February, three activists of the European Belarus opposition movement were expelled from Minsk State Linguistic University, following their conviction for involvement in a series of rallies of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners.
03.02.2012 Soviet of the Republic: Article 193-1 “protects universally accepted human rights and fundamental freedoms”
The Soviet of the Republic sees no need to initiate the abolishment of Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, which penalizes activities on behalf of organizations that are not registered with the state.
30.01.2012 Hrodna journalist summonsed to KGB
The Hrodna journalist Hrazhyna Shalkevich was summonsed to the Hrodna regional KGB department. They wanted to pass her an official summons on Saturday evening, but she was absent from home. At about 2 p.m. on Sunday she was visited by a police officer, who issued her with a summons for 6 p.m. of that day. The journalist wasn’t told why she was to come to the KGB department on a day-off, Sunday.
23.01.2012 Experts release report on freedom of association in 2011
On 23 January, experts of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs and the Center for Legal Transformation presented the results of monitoring of the situation with non-governmental organizations and freedom of association in Belarus in 2011.
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 European Belarus activist detained in Minsk
On 17 January, Minsk police detained activist of the European Belarus opposition movement Danil Hancharou and his friend Iryna Arekhouskaya.
17.01.2012 Activists launch online campaign demanding abolition of Article 193.1
On 17 January, Belarusian civil society activists launched an online signature-raising campaign for the abolition of Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code, which provides for up to two years in prison for illegal NGO membership, www.belaruspartisan.org 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.
12.01.2012 Ministry of Justice freezes registration of Belarusian Christian Democracy
On 11 January the Belarusian Christian Democracy received a letter from the Ministry of Justice, in which it was stated that the ministry suspended the process of registration of the party.
10.01.2012 Baranavichy officials accuse Mikalai Charnavus of “arbitrary rule”
On 9 January Baranavichy-based civil activist Mikalai Charnavus was summonsed to room #106 of the Main Police Department of Baranavichy, located in 50 Years ULKSM Street, 1. As he found from the talk with police major Vital Dabrachynski and police lieutenant Aliaksandr Samtsevich, Baranavichy officials accused him of arbitrary rule.
09.01.2012 Hrodna: they returned the car, not newspapers
Siarhei Trafimchyk, head of the Hrodna Region Council of the movement “For Freedom” was returned the equipment that had been taken away by police on 7 October 2011.
06.01.2012 Brest: court turns down appeal of “For Freedom!” activist
The Leninski District Court of Brest turned down the appeal of the local coordinator of the “For Freedom” movement, Dzianis Turchaniak, against actions of the deputy chairperson of the Brest City Executive Committee Viachaslau Khafizau, who refused to provide him with documents concerning the fate of a house on 17 Verasnia Street, which is a historical monument. The activists argues that such refusals violate the principle of publicity of the work of state bodies, enshrined in the Law “On Local Government and Self-government”.
