28.01.2009 Ales Bialiatski: ‘Registration or non-registration of Nasha Viasna will show the readiness of the authorities for changes pertaining to NGOs’

Mr.Bialiatski’s interview concerning the registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization. Q: Mr.Bialiatski, Belarusian mass media have repeatedly mentioned that the Nasha Viasna human rights organization, founded by members of the liquidated Human Rights Center Viasna, has applied for registration to the Ministry of Justice.

28.01.2009 FIDH statement on violent drafting of Belarusian young activists

Very serious concern regarding the recent drafting of political and civil organisations’ activists into the Belarus army, OPEN LETTER to Mrs. N. Pyatkevich, Deputy Head Secretary to the President of Belarus, Mr. S. Martynov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. V. Golovanov, Minister of Justice

28.01.2009 Youth activist Khvedaruk escorted to army

According to Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, a few hours ago the police broke into the apartment of the young activists Zmitser Khvedaruk and escorted him to the local military registration and enlistment office despite the fact he is a college student and is subject to deferment of military service.

28.01.2009 Fingerprints for attempt to file petition to Lukashenka

More than 70 women who disagree with decisions of courts in their civil cases and criminal cases of their family members, ask the authorities to stop psychological pressure on them by the regime.

In the address to Alyaksandr Lukashenka of January 27, it is said in particular that according to the Constitution women addressed him many times, and via mass media too, to find protection from lawlessness performed by officers of the court and prosecutors.

28.01.2009 Famous lawyer Pahaniayla speaks in support of Nasha Viasna

Hary Pahaniayla, human rights lawyer and head of the legal commission of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, has commented on the registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization. ‘I am for Nasha Viasna being finally registered. I am looking forward to it. I would like to remind that in our unlawful state it would be better for its citizens to have as many human rights organizations as possible. I would also like to wish the Ministry of Justice reasonableness when taking a decision concerning the registration of Nasha Viasna. I wish they could abide by the law, and not act on a whim.

28.01.2009 Franak Viachorka sent to army

The BPF’s Youth leader Franak Viachorka has reportedly been escorted to a military unit in Baranavichy, after he had been violently drafted in spite of his poor health and medical examination results stating this. Belarusian human rights experts have repeatedly stressed that such means of persecution are evidence of politically-motivated discrimination.

28.01.2009 Brest activists strive for right to hold actions

15 public and political activists from Brest region have been trying to appeal the decision of Brest town authorities of 25 October 2006, which determined the location for holding mass actions. The activists think the remote stadium allocated for mass actions in Brest is a violation of their civil rights, as well the rights to freedom of speech and association. Guided by Articles 19 and 21 of the International Convent on Civil and Political Rights, the activists urge to abolish the lawless decision. It is their 9th attempt to protect their rights and freedoms. In case the claim is turned down again, the activists are going to address the UN Human Rights Committee.

28.01.2009 Regional activist lodges claim with Supreme Court

Siarhei Panamarou, activist of the For Freedom movement has filed a claim with the Supreme Court of Belarus against the decision of Kletsk district court – a BYR 750,000 fine for violating the regulations of conducting muss actions. Panamarou had earlier appealed the decision at Minsk regional court. However, the verdict was confirmed that time.

28.01.2009 More Belarusian to be used on state TV

During his meeting with the leader of the Belarusian Language Society Aleh Trusau, head of the state-owned TV channel BT Aliaksandr Zimouski said Belarusian would be more widely used on air, including a number of daily and weekly programs in Belarusian and a monthly talk-show on the problems of the language status in Belarus.

28.01.2009 HRHF concerned about conscription of civil and political activists in Belarus

The Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) sent a letter to the Defense Minister of Belarus today, expressing its concerns about the conscription of civil and political activits in Belarus.