The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 12 Feb 2009

12.02.2009 Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe calls the Belarusian authorities to start a legislative reform

As already indicated in previous replies to Parliamentary Assembly recommendations, the Committee of Ministers strongly encourages the Belarusian authorities to initiate structural and legislative reforms in line with the Council of Europe standards in the core areas which form the basis of the Organisation: democracy, human rights and the rule of law. In this regard, the Committee of Ministers recalls that a crucial step to be made by Belarus towards aligning itself to Council of Europe principles and values, allowing for closer co-operation with the Organisation, would be the immediate suspension and the subsequent abolition in law of the death penalty. In the same context, the Committee of Ministers shares the Assembly’s opinion that Belarus should bring its criminal justice system in line with Council of Europe norms and standards and in the meantime should cease from using this system for political purposes.

12.02.2009 Assembly of Democratic NGOs to applies for state registration again

On 7 February there took place the constituent assembly of the Assembly of Democratic NGOs, at which the organization charter and other documents necessary for state registration were adopted.

12.02.2009 ‘For Freedom’ movement starts anti-dactylographic campaign in Masty

In Masty the activists of the For Freedom movement have started a campaign against the unlawful dactilography of the population, after all men started receiving writs to Masty district police department for giving their fingerprints to the police.

12.02.2009 Provocation against Union of Poles in Belarus

On 11 February in Sapotskin, Hrodna region, leaflets have emerged with a call to Belarusian Poles to finance the congress of the Union of Poles in Belarus on 14-15 March. The appeal was signed by the chairperson of the Union of Poles in disgrace.

12.02.2009 Emmanuel Zeltser’s lawyer refutes chairman of Supreme Court of Belarus

Chairman of the Supreme Court of Belarus said that Emanuel Zeltser, arrested US citizen, was given a copy of the judgment. However, the lawyer of the prisoner refutes this statement.