25.06.2009 Ales Bialiatski: PACE’s requirements are an additional stimulus for Viasna’s members to continue their activities

In its recent resolution on the situation in Belarus, PACE called upon the Belarusian authorities to allow registration to the Nasha Viasna human rights organization, which is one of the essential conditions for the country to meet the Council of Europe standards. According to Ales Bialiatski, the requirement is an additional stimulus for Viana’s members to continue their activities.

25.06.2009 Educational NGO Spadchyna denied registration

The central department of justice of Hrodna regional executive committee has denied registration to the Spadchyna culture and educational public association from the town of Biarozauka. According to head of the department Aliaksandr Siankevich, Spadchyna’s application does not comply with the existing legislation. Members of the NGO say that after consulting lawyers they may appeal the decision in court.

25.06.2009 Opposition activist Uladzimir Katsora went on dry hunger strike in prison

On June 25, the judge of the Tsentralny district court of Homel found guilty five participants of a peaceful action of solidarity with kidnapped general Yury Zakharanka.

Opposition activists Pyotr Kuznyatsou, Vasiky Palyakou, Anatol Paplauny and a namesake of kidnapped former interior minister Yury Zakharanka were fined 700,000 Belarusian rubles, Radio Svaboda reports.

Uladzimir Katsora, regional coordinator of the “For Freedom” movement was arrested for three days. Protesting, the politician declared a dry hunger strike in the courtroom.

25.06.2009 Judiciary said to be ready for death penalty abolition

Belarus’ judicial system is ready to introduce a moratorium on the death penalty, Supreme Court Chairman Valyantsin Sukala told reporters in Minsk on June 25. “If the constitution of Belarus describes this exceptional type of punishment as temporary, this clause will inevitably entail its abolition,” he said.

Mr. Sukala said that a moratorium on capital punishment could be an intermediate stage, describing the measure as “quite realistic and well-founded.”