The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 7 Apr 2010

07.04.2010 Official Minsk whitewashes itself before UN

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus has passed to the UN Human Rights Committee the National Report on the situation of fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens within the guidelines of the Universal Periodical Review, a procedure that had been established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2006. This is the first time that such a large document is received from Belarus. The report will be heard at the session of the Human Rights Council in May.

07.04.2010 Mahiliou regional election commission apologizes for ‘technical mistake’

On 7 April, human rights defender Uladzimir Krauchanka received a letter from the Mahiliou regional election commission, signed by its Chairperson, N.V.Belanohau. The official apologizes for the ‘technical’ mistake made in the previous answer to Krauchanka (let us remind that from that answer it followed that the regional election commission was established on 27 December 2010).

07.04.2010 Information at website of Mahiliou regional executive committee was 'brushed up'

On 6 April, the expected changes took place at the website of the Mahiliou regional executive committee. These changes are a result of the publications of the article Scandalous Blunder of Mahiliou Vertical on the spring96.org and other informational resources.

07.04.2010 'Young Front' is denied registration

The democratic youth organization Young Front was denied registration. The official reasons are the discrepancy of the registration documents and the legal address of the organization and the fact that many its founders have been drawn to administrative and criminal responsibility.

07.04.2010 'Young Front' member Nasta Loika summoned to police

As Nasta learned, the reason for the summon is an application of the mother of Yaraslau Lyskavets, an underage member of the Young Front, who accuses members of the Young Front of drawing him in the organization activities.

07.04.2010 Barysau: electoral meeting at closed precinct

The administration of the military unit #93685 refused to let in Tamara Kavazhenka, candidate for the Barysau district Council of Deputies, her proxies and a group of electors for about 30 minutes.

07.04.2010 Mazyr: leaflet in support of pro-governmental candidate is distributed without imprint

As noted by democratic candidates Franak Viachorka and Uladzimir Tseliapun, leaflets of candidate Hramovich is distributed at constituency #18 on elections to the Mazyr district Council of Deputies without having any imprint on them, which is a violation of the electoral legislation. The leaflets are posted not only on the informational stands, but also on windows. Of course, Hramovich is the only candidate registered at this constituency, that's why he doesn't need to care about such 'trifles' as imprint.

07.04.2010 Activist of 'Young Belarus' threatened with criminal case

Andrei Kuzmitski, an activist of the Young Belarus, says that a KGB officer visited him at home.

07.04.2010 Pavel Sharamet summoned to interrogation on 'hunters' case'

Pavel Sharamet has been summoned for interrogation to law-enforcing agencies of Russia upon the request of the Interior Ministry of Belarus. He is to give explanations in connection with the defamation case opened in Belarus after several articles in independent mass media about the former head of the Homel KGB bureau Korzh.