The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News on the topic: Viasna

27.02.2009 Swedish Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights issues statement on Nasha Viasna registration

The Sweden-based Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights has addressed the Belarusian Minister of Justice Viktar Halavanau, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirahei Martynau and Deputy head of the Administration of President Lukashenka with a statement concerning the registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights association.

26.02.2009 ‘Nasha Viasna’ got no answer from the Ministry of Justice in the due term

Today the human rights activist Uladzimir Labkovich, the legal representative of the interests of founders of the civil human rights association Nasha Viasna, called to the specialist of the Ministry of Justice Alexander Kharyton to ask about the ministry’s decision concerning the registration of the human rights association.

25.02.2009 Mikhas Pashkevich speaks in support of Nasha Viasna

Mikhas Pashekvich, leader of the UCPB’s youth wing ‘Young Democrats’, has commented on the situation with the registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization. ‘The registration of Nasha Viasna is necessary to enable the professionals work freely and efficiently. The lists of the Ministry of Justice include a lot of puppet NGOs that nobody knows and nobody needs, only necessary for the sake of creating the décor. At the same time, members of Viasna have proved their competence, constantly running the risk of being prosecuted for illegal activities under Article 193. So the issue of Nasha Viasna’s registration might be another touchstone for Belarus. I do hope that the government will behave sensibly and refrain from confusing human rights activity with politics.’

25.02.2009 Swedish Helsinki Committe issues statement on Nasha Viasna registration

The Swedish Helsinki Committe has addressed Ms Natalia Petkevich, First Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Belarus, with an open letter concerning the registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization and urging the presidential administration to ensure registration of 'this important human rights organisation.'

23.02.2009 Aliaksandr Milinkevich speaks in support of Nasha Viasna

Aliaksandr Milinkevich, Belarusian politician who was nominated by the leading opposition parties in Belarus to run against Lukashenka in the presidential election on 19 March 2006, commented on the situation with the registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization. ‘Nasha Viasna is the leading Belarusian human rights NGO with an excellent history. Its members specialize in various kinds of human rights activities – monitoring human rights violations, providing assistance to individuals and organizations. And I think it is very important that this association be granted registration.

20.02.2009 Dzmitry Zavadski’s mother speaks in support of Nasha Viasna

Volha Zavadskaya, the mother of the disappeared journalist Dzmitry Zavadski, has expressed her support of the founders and the members of the Nasha Viasna human rights association. ‘I have known Viasna for 10 years already. I am very glad that the organization keeps working. Its members have provided a lot of legal assistance. I am very sorry they lost their legal status in 2003. I think it intolerable that the organization cannot obtain registration. Every citizen of Belarus has a right to protect his or her rights, and organizations that help us do this should exist legally. So I am for the registration of Nasha Viasna in Belarus.’

19.02.2009 Aliaksandr Kazulin speaks in support of Nasha Viasna

Aliaksandr Kazulin, ex-rector of Belarusian State University and ex-presidential candidate, expressed his vision concerning the registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization. ‘I think that the official registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights association is a necessary condition for our citizens to understand that they can be somehow protected against the law. The organization has a long history with many good deeds behind, and these are concrete cases not to be denied by anyone. And its illegal status makes me fear that the official Minsk cannot act honestly in its relations with Europe and find any definite and clear policy. To me, Viasna is one of the most effective human rights organizations, which has been active for almost 13 years, rendering assistance to ordinary people.’

02.02.2009 Will Justice Ministry register ‘Nasha Viasna’?

The Ministry of Justice is sending letters to the founders of Nasha Viasna (Our Spring) NGO. Judging by the its preceding practice in registration of NGOs, such actions seem to be aimed at finding some inaccuracies concerning the constituent assembly that was held by the initiators of the establishment of the NGO.

26.01.2009 Statement on Nasha Viasna registration

On 26 January 2009 the Nasha Viasna human rights organization applied for registration to the Ministry of Justice of Belarus. The decision by the Supreme Court of Belarus of 28 January 2003 to liquidate the human rights center Viasna was an outrage against the freedom of association, guaranteed by the Belarusian Constitution and international human rights agreements. On 24 June 2007 the UN Human Rights Committee adopted a resolution, stating that by closing down Viasna the Belarusian authorities violated Article 22-1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In its resolution the UNHCC confirmed Viasna’s right to adequate means of legal protection, including re-registration and compensation. It also obliged the Belarusian government to take precautions against similar violations in future.

19.01.2009 Another chance for Viasna

On 18 January Minsk hosted the constituent assembly of the public human rights association ‘Nasha Viasna’, co-founded by a number of leading human rights activists, journalists and public figures which had earlier been members of the HR organization Viasna, closed down by the Supreme Court of Belarus in 2003. As a result, Ales Bialiatski, influential human rights expert and FIDH Vice-president, was elected head of the organization. The closure was followed by numerous attempts to regain state registration; all of them were turned down due to trivial reasons.

15.09.2008 Human rights center

A document entitled ‘Decision for provision of civil security and road safety in Brest oblast during preparation and holding of the elections of deputies to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of the fourth convocation’, signed by the head of the head of the internal affairs department of Brest oblast executive committee, lieutenant-colonel V.Krasnichenka, and agreed with the head of Brest oblast KGB department L.Dziadkou and the procurator of Brest oblast, senior justice advisor S.Khmaruk.

17.04.2008 Viasna to appeal against registration ban

The key persons of the human rights center Viasna are trying to regain official status for their organization by appealing against the decision of the Supreme Court of Belarus depriving Viasna of state registration. In case their claim is not met again, the activists intend to address the UN Human Rights Committee.

10.04.2008 Human rights activists protest against customs searches

Human rights activists Ales Bialiatski and Valiantsin Stefanovich have addressed the Customs department with a request to provide explanations concerning numerous searches by Belarusian customs officials during their travels abroad this year. The activists say their claims can be used by other persons facing similar problems while crossing Belarusian border.

28.03.2008 Open letter to the Belarusian authorities

The Human Rights Center “Viasna” and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) issue joint statement demanding to stop persecution of Katsiaryna Salauyova