The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 11 Dec 2008

11.12.2008 Actions of Zhodzina human rights defenders evoked only positive emotions among citizens

On 10 December a number of festive actions dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were held in Zhodzina. Human rights defenders and civil society activists distributed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the streets, at the procuracy, at the executive committee, at the youth center, at a number of secondary schools, at the check-point of the Belarusian Automobile Plant. In some cases other informational materials were distributed as well. Color posters with description of all articles of the Declaration were presented to officers of the abovementioned state institutions.

11.12.2008 Baranavichy: human rights activists congratulate youth

On 10 December in Baranavichy human rights activists V.Bolbat, S.Housha, K.Piatrovich and V.Syrytsa congratulated citizens on the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by distribution of brochures with the text of this document among population out in the streets. A special attention was paid to youth.

11.12.2008 10 December: chronicle of celebration (incomplete)

On 10 December the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was celebrated in Belarus. The event was marked by numerous detentions and other hindrance from the side of the Belarusian authorities.

11.12.2008 Homel: Christian democrats are considered as extremists

Democratic activist, psychiatrist Siarhei Tryfanau was warned about the inadmissibility of participation in extremist organizations by his bosses.

11.12.2008 Astravets: violation report for distribution of registered newspaper

Officers of Astravets district executive committee (Hrodna oblast) composed a violation report against an opposition activist Ivan Kruk (well-known democratic activist, an organizer of resistance to construction of nuclear power plant in Astravets district).

11.12.2008 Hrodna: harassment of civil activists continues

Civil and political activists are still detained in Hrodna. In the morning the road police stopped the car by which a member of the For Freedom movement Ales Zarembiuk, the head of Hrodna city organization of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Vadzim Saranchukou and the head of Hrodna oblast organization of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada Viktar Sazonau were driving. The car was guarded to the building of the narcological dispensary.

11.12.2008 Professor Andrei Kaliada is dismissed from Belarusian Academy of Arts for political reasons

Professor Andrei Kaliada has been dismissed from the Belarusian Academy of Arts because of his collaboration with Belarus Free Theatre and literary translations.

11.12.2008 Ales Bialiatski: ‘It is prohibited to distribute Declaration of Human Rights in the country that signed it’

Vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights comments on the arrests in Minsk at 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclamation.

11.12.2008 Detention on the Ukrainian border

Activists of the Belarusian opposition may face problems at the border crossing point Makrany in Malaryta district on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.

11.12.2008 Bararanavichy authorities ignore anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

In Baranavichy human rights activists haven’t been allowed celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

11.12.2008 Forced subscription to state press continues

The editorial office of Novy Chas newspaper has received a letter with the request to subscribe for 14 state-run newspapers.

11.12.2008 Minsk: attempt of detention at yesterday’s ‘Young Front’ action

A policeman tried to detain one of the participants of a street action ‘Tribunal for Communism!’, but had to give up under pressure of ... elderly women passing by.

11.12.2008 Kobryn: detention for white-red-white flag

Two activists of the Young Front were detained while fixing a national white-red-white flag to a flagpole in the main square of Kobryn near the district executive committee.