The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 28 Jul 2008

28.07.2008 Babruisk authorities keep information about meetings of election commissions in secret from observers

Observer Viktar Kachan says: “I addressed Babruisk Pershamaiskaya district commission many times. I made numerous phone calls and came personally with the request to inform me about the time and place of the commission’s session. Every time they told me they could not do that because “the sessions take place in the way of business, and are gathered when needed”.

28.07.2008 Babruisk: employees of law-enforcement bodies ordered not to sign for independent candidates

Wife of Babruisk policeman told human rights defenders her husband and his co-workers were ordered by their boss not to put their signatures in support of independent candidates. The woman wanted to remain anonymous because she does not want to create problems for her husband. However, such facts already prove that the election might take place with violation of the election legislation.

28.07.2008 Orsha: results of initiative group registration published

Results of initiative group registration were published in Orsha

28.07.2008 Mahiliou: Members of district election commission did not collect signatures?

Member of Belarusian Helsinki Committee Natalia Samakhvalava suspects, all eight members of district election commission # 87, nominated by signature collection, did not collect signatures for their nomination.

28.07.2008 Smarhon: Dirty techniques of pressure on UDF candidate

Pressure on pro-democratic candidate Iryna Veshtard does not only stop, but grows stronger. Iryna Veshtard registered her initiative group in Smarhon district commission # 59 on Monday, July 21st. Intimidation began immediately.

28.07.2008 Mahiliou: Black PR used against independent candidate Aliaksei Paulouski

During two days the initiative group of Aliaksei Paulouski collected 140 signatures. However, the candidate experiences strong counteraction of the authorities in this process.

28.07.2008 Babruisk: Candidate Alexander Chyhir convicted

Today Babruisk court pronounced sentence to Alexander Chyhir, who is going to run in Babruisk rural district. Despite discrepancy of witnesses’ testimony, and the fact that he had been beaten by police officers, the civic activist was found guilty of damaging a cab and beating the driver. The verdict was two fines of 30 basic units (about 500 USD each) and 10 days of arrest.