The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 19 Jun 2008

19.06.2008 Vitsebski kurier newspaper warned

The Vitsebsk-based independent newspaper Vitsebski kurier was warned by the Ministry of Information for possessing a false editorial address and failing to inform the Ministry of their new address.

19.06.2008 Zhanna Litvina: new mass media law will ruin Belarus-Europe dialogue

According to Zhanna Litvina, head of Belarusian Association of Journalists, by passing the regressive mass media bill Belarusian authorities will ruin Belarusian dialogue with EU bodies. - The bill is essential for our society, so why is it passed so fast then? There only one reason for that – after the upcoming parliamentary election the new deputies will blame the old parliament members for having adopted this bill, says Litvina.

19.06.2008 Liabedzka warned for request to investigate Belarusian weapons export

UCPB leader Anatol Liabedzka was summonsed to the General Prosecutor’s office where he was warned of possible responsibility for libel as far as his request to investigate Belarusian weapon trade with Venezuela is concerned.

19.06.2008 New Mass Media Law passed

Belarusian parliament has approved the bill that will considerably limit the rights of on-line mass media in the country, including obligatory registration of web resources that will be performed by the government.

19.06.2008 Book about Parsiukevich released

Vitsebsk committee ‘For the Freedom of Siarhei Parsiukevich’ has issued a book about the political prisoner. The edition features a number of articles on the history of Parsiukevich’s detention and imprisonment. The book will be distributed among Vitsebsk businessmen and authorities.

19.06.2008 Pastor tried for holding a mass

Pastor Leanid Akalovich was fined 1,000,000 roubles for consecrating a cross installed in the village of Drazhna (Minsk region) in honour of 25 peaceful people killed by Soviet partisans in 1943.

19.06.2008 Detentions in Brest

Four young activists were detained during a Solidarity Day action in Brest on 16 June. The participants were standing in a line and holding the portraits of political prisoners. Two female activists were finally released without any charges.

19.06.2008 National Bolsheviks appeal for official status

The notorious pro-violence National Bolsheviks have held a constituent assembly of a new organization The New Bolshevik Platform, which will soon try to obtain official status through appealing for registration to the Ministry of Justice.

19.06.2008 Another claim sent to UN HR Committee

According to human rights activist Raman Kisliak, BPF member Siarhei Lazenka has filed an individual claim to the UN Human Rights Committee. The activist was detained on 19 August 2007 during an open session of BPF Brest regional office.

19.06.2008 More trials in Druzhnaie

Another resident of the Village Druzhnaie (Minsk region) is charged with holding an unauthorized action in protest against the construction of a highly toxic chemical plant in the neighbourhood.

19.06.2008 Court denies journalists’ rights

According to an official letter from judge Husakova, the Narodnaia volia newspaper will not be able to sue Belarusian parliamentary officials for denying accreditation to its journalist Maryna Koktysh.