News on the topic: freedom of association
27.10.2011 European Belarus activist questioned over Justice House arson
On 24 October, Salihorsk activist of the European Belarus opposition movement Uladzimir Lemesh was interrogated by local police in the criminal case initiated following an attack on the House of Justice in Minsk.
25.10.2011 NGO Platforma addresses Constitutional Court
The Platforma information and educational NGO has addressed the Constitutional Court with a statement on a number of legal acts, questioning their compliance with the Basic Law, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
25.10.2011 For Freedom movement denied registration
The board of the main justice department of the Minsk city executive committee has refused to register the Minsk city branch of For Freedom movement.
25.10.2011 Civil society groups petition Constitutional Court over controversial draft laws
Twenty-six civil society groups have petitioned the Constitutional Court over controversial draft laws that would extend the powers of the Committee for State Security (KGB), introduce additional restrictions on street protests and tighten penalties for political and civil society groups receiving foreign aid.
25.10.2011 European Belarus activist sentenced to 10 days of arrest
Judge Valery Yesman of Minsk Tsentralny District Court has sentenced Maksim Viniarski, activist of the European Belarus opposition movement, to 10 days of administrative arrest for participation in yesterday’s picket of solidarity with political prisoners staged in Minsk’s Kastrychnitskaya Square.
24.10.2011 Minsk protesters stand trials
Minsk Tsentralny District Court has heard the administrative cases of European Belarus activist detained for staging a picket of solidarity with political prisoners in Kastrychnitskaya Square on 21 October.
24.10.2011 For Freedom Lida coordinator unable to regain seized car
Siarhei Trafimchyk, resident of Biarozauka, Lida district, has lodged a complaint with Hrodna regional prosecutor’s office, appealing actions by Masty road police who detained the activist for alleged theft and eventually seized his car, together with several copies of independent periodicals.
19.10.2011 Belarusian NGOs address Parliament on controversial draft laws
On 19 October, an appeal signed by representatives of 25 NGOs and other non-profit organizations was passed to the Council of the Republic, the Upper Chamber of the Belarusian Parliament.
19.10.2011 Supreme Court turns down lawsuit by Speak the Truth campaign
Judge Mikalai Babkou has dismissed a lawsuit lodged by Uladzimir Niakliayeu and Siarhei Vazniak, contesting an earlier decision by the Ministry of Justice to deny registration to the civil campaign, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
18.10.2011 Supreme Court to consider “Tell the Truth” campaign’s complaint
The civil campaign has not been allowed to get registration.
13.10.2011 Mahiliou: fine to activist of Movement “For Freedom!”
Yauhen Makuta was fined 17,500 rubles for posting leaflets with the call to take part in a silent protest action held by “Revolution through Social Networks”. He had been detained for it on 21 September.
27.09.2011 NGOs’ Assembly: Release of political prisoners is first step towards possible dialogue
The working group of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus has adopted two statements concerning the possible dialogue of the authorities with society and the prospects of the EU-Belarus relations within the European Partnership programme.
23.08.2011 Speak the Truth denied registration
The “Speak the Truth” civil campaign has been denied registration by the Ministry of Justice, European Radio for Belarus reports, quoting the campaign’s co-founder Siarhei Vazniak.
17.08.2011 No legal violations in crackdown on silent protests, police official says
The Revolution Through Social Network protests were unauthorized, the protesters blocked road traffic and the activities of Minsk shops, says high Interior Ministry official Mr. Ivan Kubrakou in his reply to For Freedom movement leader Aliaksandr Milinkevich, www.belaruspartisan.org reports.
05.07.2011 May people use self-defence against attacking persons dressed in civilian clothing?
The Movement For Freedom (MFF) addressed the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus concerning the following issue: “Numerous facts of assaults of passers-by by unknown citizens have been registered lately in many cities and towns of the country. Persons dressed in civilian clothing (using rude physical force) seize peaceful citizens and (in some cases beating them) push them into cars, minibuses (often without license plates) or riot police’s transport vehicles. After that, they are brought to police stations, where they are informed of the fact that they are detained as part of an administrative judicial process.”
