The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for August 2008

15.08.2008 Homel oblast: seven UDF representatives included in precinct commissions

In Homel oblast the united democratic forces nominated 214 candidates to precinct commissions. None of them were included in the commissions in Homel. In Homel oblast only seven persons were included: in the towns of Rechytsa, Rahachou and Lelchytsy.

15.08.2008 Candidate Dzmitry Niafiodau withdraws from ‘elections’

An independent candidate for deputy Dzmitry Nyafyodau has stated his intention not to take part in the parliamentary elections because of growing pressure on members of his initiative group. He wanted to take part in the elections in Autazavodski district of Minsk, constituency #92.

15.08.2008 Procuracy ignores complaint about violations of electoral laws

On 21 July civil activist Pavel Nazdra addressed Homel oblast procuracy with a complaint about violations of the electoral laws. According to Article 49 of the Electoral Code such complaints must be considered within ten-day term. Now Mr. Nazdra complains against inaction of the oblast procuracy to the general procuracy and the Central electoral commission.

15.08.2008 Minsk oblast: observers are prevented from getting information about formation of precinct commissions

On 12 August the district executive committees of Minsk oblast held their sittings on formation of precinct electoral commissions on elections to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly. Observers from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee sent in advance official requirements for their admission to the sittings of Salihorsk, Kapyl, Slutsk, Kletsk and Niasvizh district executive commissions.

14.08.2008 Information about registration of initiative groups

According to the present legislation (Article 65 of the Electoral Code) nomination of candidates for deputies to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus can be conducted by means of collection of electors’ signatures by a group of not less than 10 citizens (initiative group). The list of the members of an initiative group (in which its head must be specified) and the application for registration of the initiative group must be submitted to a constituent electoral commission not later than 65 days prior to the Election Day. These documents are to be submitted by the person who seeks nomination as a candidate for deputy. The list must include the following data: name, patronymic, surname, birth date, profession, position (employment), place of work, place of residence and membership in parties for the person who intends to become a candidate for deputy; the name, patronymic, surname, birth date and the place of residence for each member of the initiative group.

14.08.2008 Svetlahorsk: why electors cannot watch formation of precinct commissions?

On 12 August Svetlahorsk district executive committee (DEC) held a sitting on forming of precinct electoral commissions. The head of the DEC Siarhei Maksimenka did not admit to the sitting a member of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Vadzim Bolbas who wanted to watch the formation of the commissions.

14.08.2008 Homel: activist of united democratic forces Ales Sivakou is dismissed from job

In Homel the democratic activist Ales Sivakou, the head of the initiative group of Kanstantsin Zhukouski, is fired from Homelkhlebpram enterprise. According to the activist, the marketing director of the enterprise told him to write an application for dismissal on his own free will, because otherwise he would be dismissed under an article of the Labor Code and the information would be put in his service record.

14.08.2008 Hrodna: early agitation for pro-governmental candidates continues

The agitation for pro-governmental candidates acquires new forms. Colored posters of the candidate Siarhei Maskevich who intends to run at Tsentralnaya constituency #50 in Hrodna were hanged out at the check-up of the driveshaft factory. The posters include the candidate’s photo and CV and call electors to vote for him.

14.08.2008 Mahiliou oblast court leaves in force verdict to Ales Chyhir

Mahiliou oblast court left unchanged the ruling of Babryisk town court towards the political activist Ales Chyhir. Judge of Mahiliou oblast court Mikalai Hladki read only the verdict and offered no explanations.

14.08.2008 Vitsebsk: ‘Vitsbichy’ newspaper continues early agitation for pro-governmental candidates

The state newspaper Vitsbichy , #92 for 12 August 2008m, features an article about Alexander Lasiakin, who intends to run at Kastrychnitskaya constituency #20 in Vitsebsk. The very name of the article: ‘We will do it all, no problems!’ can be considered as Lasiakin’s electoral promise.

14.08.2008 Vitsebsk: first sitting of precinct commission held in secret

The time and place of the first sittings of the precinct commissions of the village constituency #21, Chkalauskaya constituency #18 and Kastrychnitskaya constituency #20 of Vitsebsk were kept in strict secret.

14.08.2008 Baranavichy: how much saliva and how many fingerprints will be enough?

‘How much saliva and how many fingerprints should I take to police to be left alone?’ asks a resident of Baranavichy, member of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Viktar Meziak. For the first time his saliva and fingerprints were taken by the local police inspector. Then other policemen started calling demanding his saliva and fingerprints as well. ‘I have to explain to them that I have taken saliva and fingerprints already. It seems to me that it is a purposeful action so that one would not feel comfortable.’ The last such call Meziak received on 12 August at 11 pm.

14.08.2008 Malaryta: commission has not been formed yet, but already has a chairman

On 7 August a human rights activist Uladzimir Malei addressed Malaryta district executive committee with the electors’ statement for his nomination to Malaryta Chyrvonaarmeiski precinct commission #62 at Mukhavets constituency #4.

14.08.2008 Seventh registration denial to Brest oblast branch of Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada

The justice department has for the seventh time refused to register Hrodna oblast branch of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada. The members of the branch do not rule out that the officials substituted the documents for registration that were submitted by them.

14.08.2008 Hrodna oblast: no opposition members in precinct commissions

Some of the commissions refused to provide any information on inclusion of representatives of the united democratic forces. According to preliminary information none of the opposition’s nominees were included in the precinct commissions of Hrodna oblast.