The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 11 Mar 2010

11.03.2010 Polish House in Ivianets was confiscated from Union of Poles in Belarus

The Polish House in Ivianets will stay the property of the pro-regime Union of Poles in Belarus. The appropriate ruling of the Valozhyn district court has been upheld by the Minsk oblast court.

11.03.2010 Belarusbank refuses to conclude a truce with Siarhei Skrabets

On 10 March the former political prisoner and deputy Syarhei Skrabets was again visited by officers of the Pershamaiski district court of Minsk who wanted to distrain the property.

11.03.2010 Fines for picket near Lithuanian Embassy

On 10 March Maksim Viniarski, Palina Kuryianovich and Palina Dziiakava were detained by police for an unauthorized picket near the Lithuanian Embassy where they unfurled a streamer ‘No to cooperation with Belarusian dictatorship’ in order to protest against the invitation of Aliaksandr Lukashenka to festivities on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Reestablishment of independence of Lithuania.

11.03.2010 Formation of precinct election commissions in Babruisk

Two representatives of the civil association Belarusian Popular Front Adradzhenne had to take away their applications for nomination to precinct commissions. Yauhen Herasimovich, locksmith of the Belshyna Open Stock Company had to do it because of pressurization from the side of the plant administration, and Mikita Uvarau, student of the Olympic reserve school, had to obey the demands of the school administration.

11.03.2010 Salihorsk: precinct commissions are formed secretly

The latest events in Salihorsk witness the reluctance of the local authorities to admit public representatives to the sittings that are connected with important stages of the election campaign. In particular, on 10 March youth activist Ivan Shyla was detained by the police at the entrance of the room where the sitting on formation of precinct election commissions was taking place.

11.03.2010 Precinct election commissions to be assisted by commercial banks and tax inspection

mozyrisp.gov.by, the website of the Mazyr district executive committee, published a new piece of information, Ruling of the DEC Chairperson #59-r of 4 March 2010 On assignment of organizations of the Mazyr district to precincts on elections to the local Soviets of Deputies of the 26th Convocation.

11.03.2010 Baranavichy city executive committee doesn't hurry to change its decision on determining places for agitation

On 10 March, observer Siarhei Housha lodged claims with the Baranavichy prosecutor and the chairperson of the Baranavichy city police department. He states that on 17 February he addressed the procuracy concerning the incompatibility of decision of #379 of 12 February 2010 of the Baranavichy city executive committee concerning the determination of the places for agitation during the elections to the local Soviets of Deputies. On 18 February 2010 the procuracy officially informed Mr. Housha that his address was forwarded to the chairperson of the Baranavichy city executive committee. On 4 March V.Lazitski, Deputy Chairperson of the Baranavichy CEC, stated that the decision would be amended at the nearest sitting of the executive committee.

Chairperson of Central Election Commission says creation of coordinative-consultative group on preparing and holding elections is legal

11.03.2010 Chairperson of Central Election Commission says creation of coordinative-consultative group on preparing and holding elections is legal

As we have already informed, the Braslau district executive committee established a coordinative-consultative group on preparing and holding elections (the appropriate order was signed by P.Hishkeliuk, Chairperson of the Braslau district executive committee) referring to Article 38 of the Election Code, though this article doesn't provide the executive authorities to establish such groups.

11.03.2010 Barysau district executive committee keeps 'state secret'

10 March was the last day when the precinct election commissions were to be formed according to the timing schedule. However, the Barysau district executive committee (DEC) refused to inform the Barysau human rights defenders and the leaders of the local organizations of political parties about the date and place of the appropriate sitting, thus depriving them of the opportunity to attend it.

11.03.2010 Less than 3% of members of precinct commissions are partisan

As said by Mikalai Lazavik, secretary of the Central commission on elections and holding national referenda, 77,241 persons have been nominated to precinct election commissions and representatives of political parties constitute less than 3% of them.