The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for August 2010

31.08.2010 Havary Praudu activist detained in Salihorsk

Salihorsk police detained Tatsiana Kuchynskaya, activist of the Havary Praudu opposition movement, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

30.08.2010 International community marks Day of Disappeared

Today, on August 30, the International Day of the Disappeared is being marked across the world. The International Day of the Disappeared on August 30 is an annual commemoration day created to draw attention to the fate of individuals imprisoned at places and under poor conditions unknown to their relatives and/or legal representatives.

30.08.2010 Hlybokaye prosecutor’s office issues warning to opposition activist

Yaraslau Bernikovich, activist of the For Freedom opposition movement and member of the BPF party, was forced to provide explanations on the recent Larysa Heniuyush memorial festival held in the town of Hlybokaye, Vitsebsk region, and officially banned by the local authorities, Radio Racyja reports.

30.08.2010 For Freedom activist Kisliak detained in Brest

Brest police detained Raman Kisliak, activist of the For Freedom opposition movement, as he was distributing leaflets ‘It should not happen again!”, featuring information on forced disappearances in Belarus, Aliaksandr Milinkevich’s press-service reports.

30.08.2010 Mazyr authorities ban meeting at site of self-immolation by Jews

Mazyr town authorities banned a meeting at the site of self-immolation committed by some 20 Jews on 31 August 1941, the BelaPAN news agency reports, quoting Pavel Nazdra, chair of the Belarusian Society for the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments.

30.08.2010 Detained UCP activists released without charges

Two activists of the United Civic Party Aliaksandr Stsepanenka and Pavel Jaravik, detained yesterday at Zhdanovichy market for dissemination of leaflets, have been released without charges.

27.08.2010 Even in Nazi Germany one could prove innocence

In today’s Belarus, an individual is deprived of any opportunities to exonerate oneself, says human rights activist Siarhei Ustsinau, analyzing the verdict by Judge Aksana Reliava of Minsk Savetski Court in the civil case of activist Viachaslau Siuchyk.

27.08.2010 Vileika police try to foil meeting with Ramanchuk

On 26 Vileika police tried to stop the presentation of Yaraslau Ramanchuk’s program ‘Million Jobs for Belarus’, referring to alleged drug-related offence in the premises, www.vialejka.org reports.

26.08.2010 Youth activist sacked

Raman Babrou, activist of the Young Belarus opposition movement, reportedly faces dismissal from work at a Vitsebsk private enterprise TimeColor, by order of the company’s manager Shcharbakou, the Young Belarus’ press-service reports.

26.08.2010 Havary Praudu activist still in prison

Mikhas Bashura, activist of the Havary Praudu civil campaign, is still in Zhodzina prison awaiting trial on criminal charges of forgery, Radio Racyja reports, quoting the campaign’s leader Uladzimir Niakliayeu.

26.08.2010 Young Front activist fined

Ales Kirkevich, deputy chair of Young Front Hrodna office, has been fined BYR 875,000 for distributing printed materials as part of the City is Ours campaign. He was detained on 3 July and charged under Paragraph 2 of Article 21.14 of the Civil Code.

26.08.2010 Homel police seize Havary Praudu periodical

Homel police detained Ivan Hamarka, activist of the Havary Praudu civil campaign as he was distributing the Elektrychka newspaper, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

25.08.2010 Minsk Economic Court dismisses claim by Havary Praudu civil campaign

The Cassation Court of Minsk Economic Court dismissed a claim lodged by the Rukh Naperad association, famous for its involvement in the Havary Praudu (‘Speak the Truth!’) civil campaign, after the organization’s rent contract was declared invalid and Minsk authorities said they were going to close it down, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

25.08.2010 UCP activist Ulasevich fined

Astravets Court fined local UCP activist Mikola Ulasevich for disobeying fire inspection officials, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

25.08.2010 Brest Viasna HR group seeks registration

Uladzimir Vialichkin and Uladzimir Malei, co-founders of the Brest Viasna human rights association, have addressed the city’s justice department with a statement, demanding to reverse the 20 August court verdict, denying state registration to the HR group.