The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 15 Sep 2008

15.09.2008 KGB ‘checks’ workers of Institute of History

In the second half of August and in the beginning of September KGB officers held a ‘voluntary’ questioning of workers of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus in connection with the 4 July explosion in Minsk. The ‘questioning’ was conducted in the working time. The KGB workers occupied the scientists’ offices and working places for it. Those who refused to participate in these measures are threatened with dismissal.

15.09.2008 Pukhavichy: court supports Russian company

On 15 September judge of Pukhavichy district court Liliya Rukhlevich rejected the suit of the dwellers of settlement of Druzhny against Pukhavichy district executive committee. By this verdict the citizens are prohibited to familiarize with documents of Pukhavichy district executive committee

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.

15.09.2008 Homel oblast: electoral programs of two candidates won’t be published

A state newspaper Zhyttsio Palessia refused to publish the electoral programs of two candidates running at Paleskaya electoral constituency #43. According to the answer of the secretary of the newspaper Sviatlana Danilchyk, the candidates Mikalai Haurylenka (a representative of the United democratic forces) and Siarhei Kanoplich (former head of Yelsk district executive committee) failed to timely present to the editorial board the texts of their programs.

15.09.2008 Kapyl authorities falsify documents on appointment of members to precinct commissions

Viktar Dashkevich, observer from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee at Salihorsk village electoral constituency #76, addressed the procuracy of Kapyl district after Kapyl district executive committee included in precinct commissions some ‘nominees’ of working collectives who did not have any relation to the working collectives from which they had been allegedly nominated. The procuracy checked the facts and ordered Kapyl DEC to replace the illegally nominated members of commissions.

15.09.2008 Niasvizh: precinct commissions declare ‘cold war’ to BHC observer

After the long-term observers of BDIHR OSCE visited precincts #61 and #62 in Niasvizh electoral constituency #72 the electoral commissions declared a ‘cold war’ to the observer from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee Aleh Nikulin.

15.09.2008 Vitsebsk: precincts are closed

On 13 September in Vitsebsk election observers made another attempt to get accredited at precinct electoral commission #35 of Pershamaisk district of Vitsebsk. However, the door of the building where the commission is situated was locked. After two-hour waiting at the door an observer phoned to the electoral commission of Vitsebsk-Chkalauskaya constituency #18, a duty member of which advised that he repeated his attempt on 15 September.

15.09.2008 Minsk: warning to Stalislau Bahdankevch

On 12 September professor Stanislau Bahdankevich, former head of the National Bank, a honorary member of the United Civil Party received a warning from the electoral commission of Chkalauskaya constituency #96 in Minsk at which he is running for the parliament.

15.09.2008 Babruisk: How did Ina Dmitruk become the head of precinct commission?

An election observer Alexander Leanenka checked the minutes on forming of precinct commission #39 at Babruisk village electoral constituency #80 and found that according to its minutes of 13 August 2008 Pershamaiski district executive committee #16 did not appoint Ina Dmitruk, the headmaster of school #21 (where the precinct is situated) the head of the commission.

15.09.2008 Babruisk: independent candidate is not allowed to hold electoral meeting at bank

On 12 September a candidate at Babruisk-Leninskaya constituency #78 Alena Miadzvedzeva came to the administration of the Priorbank together with some OSCE observers. She wanted to hold an electoral meeting. The bank manager agreed to it and even started gathering people, but when Alena Miadzedzeva went down to the bank hall, she was met by the head of the guard, who stated that she had no right to hold any meetings there. He motivated the refusal with the fact that the administration of the bank needed to have an agreement of the head of Belarusbank whic lent the house to Priorbank.

15.09.2008 Authorities order cheap alcohol for precincts of Baranavichy

This matter was discussed at the sitting of the staff of control the consumer market of the Baranavichy city executive committee on 12 September. Everything should be organized at the highest level at all 66 poling stations, officials stressed.

15.09.2008 Brest: police detain youth activists for boycott leaflets

At night on 15 September the young activists Mikhail Illin and Yauhen Skrabets were detained in Brest.

15.09.2008 Extremism charges against newspaper of Union of Poles in Belarus

On 12 September journalist Andzhei Pisalnik received a writ to Kastrychnitski district court of Hrodna for 18 September.

15.09.2008 Homel: police beat and torture youth activists for white-red-white flag

During the official events dedicated to Homel’s City Day, when the 866th anniversary of the city was celebrated, Young Front activists raised white-red-white flags.

15.09.2008 ‘Young Front’ activist gets handcuffed for handing out newspapers

When distributing the latest publication of the independent newspaper Svabodny Salihorsk in the central market of the city, a volunteer of the newspaper, an activist of the Young Front Andrus Tychyna was detained by local policeman with use of force. He was handcuffed, and, despite of the indignation of the market customers, was taken to the local police department.