The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 22 Apr 2009

22.04.2009 Supreme Court turns down claim by Nasha Viasna

On 22 April the Supreme Court of Belarus turned down the complaint by the founders of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization. Judge Ihar Milto found the decision by the Ministry of Justice legal due to certain procedural violations, including inaccuracies in the founders’ lists and the organization’s Charter. Besides, state duty payment receipt lacked the name of the NGO. All other arguments of the Ministry of Justice were found legally invalid. The court stressed that the above-mentioned flaws could not be corrected within the period of registration since the postponement of registration is not the duty but the right of the registration authority.

22.04.2009 Assembly of Pro-Dem NGOs adopts statement on Belarus membership in Eastern Partnership

‘We welcome the European Union’s recent initiative – the Eastern Partnership – and consider it a historical chance for Belarus on its way towards the European values. We are confident that Belarus’ membership in the project should depend on the inner situation in the country. Otherwise, the Eastern Partnership will be a means of conservation of the current situation in Belarus with minor cosmetic changes. In our opinion, the current situation in Belarus restrains Belarus’ activity in the initiative on the political level. The restrictions of political cooperation should not impair other declared project components.

22.04.2009 Baranavichy activists fight for reform of demonstration procedures

On 30 April Baranavichy Town and District Court will consider the case of a number of pro-democratic activists fighting for the abolition of Decree #4 by Baranavichy Town Authorities, introducing severe restrictions to rally conduction regulations. Siarhei Housha, Karnei Piatrovich and Viktar Syrytsa think that the decision practically outlaws any possibilities of holding mass actions in the town. The activists have previously appealed the decision at the Town Council and Brest Regional Executive Committee. However, their claims were turned down.

22.04.2009 Hrodna Regional Court fails to reinstate fired local council deputy

Hrodna Regional Court has turned down the claim by deputy of Masty District Council Zmitser Kukhlei who had been trying to rehabilitate his rights after he had been fired by his employer at the Mastydreu state-owned enterprise for his active participation in the 2008 parliamentary election. In his interview to www.belradio.fm, Zmitser Kukhlei said that he was going to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court of Belarus.

22.04.2009 Young Front activist faces expulsion

Piotr Ruzau, member of the Young Front youth oppositional movement, is threatened with expulsion from Brest State University. He has been visited by a policeman who accused him of inscribing several anti-corruption graffiti in a local rail yard. After that Dean of the Faculty of Finance and Law told the youngster he might be expelled from the University for his civil activity.