The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 7 Feb 2008

07.02.2008 Zhaleznichenka’s Mother Sues Military Committee

Recently a public activist and A-level student Zmitser Zhaleznichenka has been called up for military service. His mother, Ala Zhaleznichenka, is convinced that it was done with violations of the law. That’s why she decided to sue against the military committee.

07.02.2008 Hrodna Authorities Fear Inter-religious Conflicts

In 2007 the authorities of Hrodna oblast registered only one religious community of Baptist Christians. Several dozens of other religious communities have been denied registration for different reasons.

07.02.2008 Liquidation of Party of Communists Belarusian Is Stopped

After the request to suspend the consideration of its liquidation suit at the Supreme Court the Ministry of Justice revoked it at all.

07.02.2008 Minsk Dwellers Sue against Eviction from City Center

Dwellers of Karl Marx Street in Minsk have sent collective letters to the presidential administration, the State Control Committee, the department of financial investigation on Minsk and Minsk region, and to the Prosecutor General on the issue of the planned expulsion and turning the street into a pedestrian area.

07.02.2008 Council of Europe Condemns Executions in Belarus

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis has made a special statement condemning execution of three members of a gang: Siarhei Marozau, and his close associates, Valery Harbaty and Ihar Danchanka.

07.02.2008 Authorities Will Control Invitation of Foreign Priests

The Soviet of Ministers of Belarus approved a regulation on order of invitation of foreign citizens and stateless persons for religious activity in Belarus.

07.02.2008 Photo Report on Release of Political Prisoner Artur Finkevich

On 5 February Mahiliou oblast court considered the cassation complaint of the political prisoner Artur Finkevich. The trial was attended by the public and political activists of Mahiliou. From Minsk there came politicians and friends including Liudvisia Atakulava, Ales Kalita, Zmitser Khvedaruk, Aliaksandr Makayeu, Nasta Palazhanka, Ales Mikhalevich, Mikola Siarheyenka, Uladzimir Siarheyeu, Viachaslau Siwchyk, former political prisoners Enira Branitskaya, Zmitser Dashkevich and Pavel Seviarynets, a representative of the American Embassy and human rights activists.

07.02.2008 Aliaksei Shydlouski Asks Political Asylum in Czech

A former political prisoner, opposition activist Aliaksei Shydlouski has asked for political asylum in Czech. The reason is that he faces 10 years of jail because of a criminal case under part 3 of article 339 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism) has been brought against him recently.

07.02.2008 Polatsk: Search in Young Front Activist’s Apartment

Agents of Polatsk KGB office are searching the apartment of a Young Front activist Katsiaryna Salauyova. The search takes place within the frames of the criminal case that was brought against her for ‘participation in underground organization’ (article 193.1 of the Criminal Code).

07.02.2008 KGB Interrogates Activist of Belarusian Christian Democracy

On 5 February Maladechna KGB office summonsed a local public activist Henadz Faryno for a ‘talk’. They did not send any call-up, but Henadz had to come, because the KGB agent pressurized his relatives. The KGB agent who introduced himself as Siarhei Aksiuchyts asked him about the activities of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party and was especially interest in finding anything about its leaders Pavel Seviarynets and Aliaksei Shein.

07.02.2008 Fired from School for Membership in United Civil Party

Recently Aliaksandr Halavach has been fired from Minsk school #207 for membership in the youth wing of the United Civil Party. He said that he was summonsed by the schoolmaster Katsiaryna Sauchuk.