News on the topic: freedom of association
03.09.2007 Observatory for Protection of Human Rights Defenders Condemns Non-registration of ‘Viasna’
Paris-Geneva, August 31, 2007. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), expresses its deepest concern regarding the refusal of the Belarusian authorities to re-register the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”, on August 28, 2007, in violation of a communication of the United Nations Human Rights Committee issued at the end of July 2007.
30.08.2007 Five and One Reasons Not to Register Human Rights Association ‘Viasna’
The founders of the human rights public association ‘Viasna’ have finally received an official letter of the Ministry of Justice ‘On refusal of state registration for the public association’. There are several reasons that have been invented by the officials for the refusal.
30.08.2007 Trial of Young Front Activist Yaraslau Hryshchenia to Take Place on 10 September
On 29 August the youth activist Yaraslau Hryshchenia received a summons from Baranavichy district court. According to this document the trial will start at 9.30 a.m. on 10 September. The name of the judge is not known yet. Hryshchenia is charged under article 193.1 of the Criminal Code, ‘activities on behalf of unregistered organization’. On 4 September the Young Front activists Ivan Shyla and Nasta Azarka will be tried: the former in Salihorsk and the latter – in Niasvizh.
28.08.2007 Justice Ministry Refuses to Register ‘Viasna’
According to the official site of the Ministry of Justice, ‘the charter of the association does not comply with the law of the Republic Belarus on public associations’.
28.08.2007 Homel Police Detain Participants of Meeting with Pastor Sabila
On 26 August in Homel several civil society activists were seized by the police at a meeting with the pastor of an outlawed Protestant church Ernest Sabila. The pastor of the Belarusian Evangelic Church came to the city to meet with members of the Frantsishak Skaryna Belarusian Language Society. Held at the city`s office of the United Civic Party, the meeting was attended by about 20 people.
24.08.2007 Ministry of Justice Officials Hide from HR Activists
The organizing committee for creation of the public human rights association Viasna can’t get acquainted with the resolution of the ministry of justice on the organization registration though the deadline of the resolution making was 23 August.
24.08.2007 International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Reminds Justice Ministry of Belarus about Legal Term for Deciding on ‘Viasna’ Registration
Here's the text of an open letter of the FIDH to the Minister of Justice Viktar Halavanau.
24.08.2007 Amnesty International Expresses Its Concern with Persecution of Youth Activists in Belarus
Amnesty International is deeply concerned by reports that the harassment, detention and imprisonment of youth activists by the Belarusian authorities has intensified in recent weeks. The organization believes that the clampdown forms part of the government’s continuing attempts to intimidate and obstruct youth activists, and civil society as a whole, from exercising their rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression.
23.08.2007 Trial of ‘Young Front’ Activist Ivan Shyla Appointed on 4 September
At 10 a.m. on 4 September Salihorsk town court will consider a criminal case against the activist of an unregistered organization Young Front Ivan Shyla. 16-year-old Shyla is charged with activity on behalf of unregistered organization (article 193.1 of the Criminal Code).
22.08.2007 Consideration of Criminal Case against Young Front Activist Nasta Azarka Appointed on 4 September
HRC Viasna learned that on 4 September Niasvizh district court will consider the criminal case against the Young Front activist Nasta Azarka. The case was brought under article 193.1 (activity on behalf of unregistered organization).
21.08.2007 Human Rights Activists Meet with First Deputy Minister of Justice Aliaksandr Petrash
On 21 August the human rights activists Ales Bialiatski, Uladzimir Labkovich and Valiantsin Stefanovich had a personal audience with the first deputy minister of Justice Aliaksandr Petrash. First of all, they were interested in the process of registration of the human rights NGO Viasna. Bear in mind that on 23 July the initiative group of human rights activists filed with the Ministry of Justice a packet of documents for registration of the public human rights association Viasna and in two days the Ministry of Justice must announce its decision.
15.08.2007 Prosecutor’s Office and KGB Put Eye on BUNT
Minsk city prosecutor’s office summons for interrogations members of an unregistered movement BUNT. Human rights activists do not rule out that soon a new criminal case against youth activists can be brought.
14.08.2007 Mahiliou: Armed Policemen Block Private House
Armed policemen have blocked a private house in Chkalau Street 16 in Mahiliou where a seminar of the oppositional movement with participation of representatives of Polish NGOs was taking place. The seminar participants do not let the police in. The house is ringed by nine policemen, three of whom have arms. There are also several persons in mufti as well.
13.08.2007 Criminal Case against Opposition Activist Features Samples of Telephone Bugging
The criminal case against the activist of Young Front Yaraslau Hryshchenia (brought under article 193.1 of the criminal case, ‘activity on behalf of unregistered organization’) contains materials that were received by the investigation by bugging his mobile telephone that was registered on a different name. There are about 20 minutes of recorded talks.
13.08.2007 Baranavichy: Viktar Parnachou Ordered not to Disconnect Phones
Today, on 13 August, a 22-year-old resident of Baranavichy Viktar Parnachou received an order from the police not to disconnect his home and mobile phones. He was also warned about possible summons to Baranavichy city police department of internal affairs.
