The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for November 2008

18.11.2008 Opposition member Dzianis Sadouski searched on border

Dzianis Sadouski, executive secretary of the Organising committee for creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, was detained when crossing the Belarusian-Polish border last weekend.

17.11.2008 Leader of “Civil Initiatives” sues Belarusian MFA

Public activist Uladzimer Katsora of Homel went to law demanding decision of the UN Commission on Human Rights on reopening the regional non-governmental organisation “Civil Initiatives” to be fulfilled.

17.11.2008 Political prisoner Barazenka goes on hunger strike

Activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Aliaksandar Barazenka has gone on a protest hunger strike in the Minsk detention facility and is going to continue it unless he is released. He wrote this in a letter to his friends. The letter was written on November 10, so the strike may be lasting for a week.

17.11.2008 “Freedom to Aliaksandar Barazenka!” actions held in Minsk

Several actions demanding to release political prisoners were held in the center of Minsk on the Day of Belarusian Solidarity, November 16. Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, “Young Front” and “Young Belarus” came to the squares of the Belarusian capital carrying portraits of Aliaksandar Barazenka.

16.11.2008 BAJ Applied to the Head of the Presidential Administration

The Belarusian Association of Journalists addressed with a letter the Head of Presidential Administration Uladzimir Makey to ask "assistance in solving the problem of distribution of non-state press". 15 editors of non-state Belarusian newspapers signed the appeal.

11.11.2008 Haradok: harassment of election observer

A resident of Haradok district Alexander Zhydkevich decided to monitor the latest Parliamentary election (held on 28 September) on his own initiative. During the election the local authorities warned him that the election would end on 28 September, whereas he would be still living in the same place and working at the same job.

11.11.2008 KGB is interested in priest’s activities

On 5 November Siarhei Vashkevich, an aide of a protestant pastor Viachaslau Hancharenka at Novaye Zhyttsio church, received a writ from KGB. According to this document, he was to come to Minsk and Minsk oblast KGB department on at 2 p.m. on 10 November for giving explanations.

11.11.2008 Minsk: ‘Young Front’ activist is detained for action near Leninski district court

On 10 November at 10 p.m. the police detained the activist of the Young Front Mikalai Dzemidzenka who had taken part in the action in support to the young oppositionists who had been tried at Leninski district court for holding an anticommunist picket near the KGB office on 7 November.

11.11.2008 Siarhei Skrabets is denied employment at Minsk Automobile Plant for political reasons

The former member of the house of representatives and opposition politician Siarhei Skrabets can’t find a job. Another attempt to apply for a job of a foreman in a foundry shop of the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) was unsuccessful. Though there is a vacancy here, Skrabets was denied the job.

10.11.2008 Barysau: entrepreneurs’ leader Viktar Harbachou is warned by procuracy

Today the chairman of the public association For free development of business Viktar Harbachou has been summoned to the procurator’s office of Barysau district (according to his place of registration) again.

10.11.2008 Hrodna oblast: police continue harassment of Anatol Valiuk

Anatol Valiuk, political activist and head of the Belarusian Popular Front party of Svislach town (the Hrodna oblast), is persecuted by local police.

10.11.2008 Polatsk: youth activists to stand trial for anti-communist action

Reports were drawn up against Polatsk youth activists for they unfurled a national white-red-white flag and an orange flag of the initiative Young Belarus in the city center.

10.11.2008 Saliahorsk: human rights activist Yana Paliakova is guarded to court by police

On 10 November in Salihorsk, a police officer came up to Yana Palyakova and ordered to follow him to the court.

10.11.2008 Kletsk: police intimidate civil activist Yauhen Mikulich

An activist of For Freedom movement Yauhen Mikulich from Klyotsk has addressed the procuracy with the request to defend his family from threats and illegal actions by local policemen.

10.11.2008 Minsk: detention at action in support of tried ‘Young Front’ activists

On 10 November near Leninski district court of Minsk there took place an action in support of several Young Front members who had been detained for a picket near the KGB office on 7 November, an anniversary of October revolution.