The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for November 2010

30.11.2010 Belarusian activist detained in Moscow

On 28 November, Russian law enforcement agencies detained Belarusian activist Ihar Alinevich, suspected of attacks on the Russian embassy and the Defense Ministry’s General Headquarters in autumn 2010.

30.11.2010 CEC pronounces warning to Rymasheuski and Statkevich, they remain candidates

They have been punished for the organization of an unauthorized meeting in October Square on November 24.

30.11.2010 Revocation of Lukashenka’s registration not provided by law, say Supreme Court and House of Representatives

The Supreme Court and the House of Representatives dismissed the claim by Salihorsk residents, who demanded revocation of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s registration as presidential candidate.

29.11.2010 Apartment of lawyer Siarhei Balykin searched in Minsk

The head of the Association of Small and Medium Business, lawyer Siarhei Balykin is intended to appeal to the prosecutor’s office against the actions of police officers.

29.11.2010 Mahiliou pro-dem activists sue election commission

13 Mahiliou pro-democratic activist, including election agents of Ryhor Kastusiou, Ales Mikhalevich, Uladzimir Niakliayeu, Yaraslau Ramanchuk, Vital Rymasheuski, Andrei Sannikau and Dzmitry Us, as well as human rights defenders Barys Bukhel and Siarhei Famin, addressed Leninski district court with a demand to oblige Leninski district election commission to increase the number of authorized canvassing locations in the district.

29.11.2010 Seized observation guidelines to be returned after election

According to representative of the ‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’ campaign Uladzimir Labkovich, the expert evaluation of the 115 copies of election observation guidelines seized by the Belarusian customs department on 25 November will take up to 20 days.

29.11.2010 ‘Issues of Death Penalty Use in Belarus’ through journalists’ eyes

On 26-27 November Minsk hosted the seminar ‘Issues of Death Penalty Use in Belarus and their Coverage by Mass Media’, arranged by the Russia-based NGO ‘Penal Reform International’ and the Belarusian Association of Journalists. The event’s objective was teaching the media to apply more professional and unbiased means when covering the issue of the death penalty.

29.11.2010 OSCE calls for closer cooperation with civil societies worldwide

On 29-29 November Astana, Kazakhstan, hosted the OSCE Civil Society Parallel Conference, attended by over 200 NGO representatives from 26 OSCE member countries. The conference is an independent event, initiated by the OSCE members ahead of the 2010 Summit to be held in Astana on 1-2 December.

26.11.2010 Rymasheuski’s election agent detained by Mazyr police

On 24 November, Mazyr police detained Ales Kavalchuk, election agent of Vital Rymasheuski, as he was leaving the town in his car. The activist was taken to Mazyr district police department, but shortly released without charges.

26.11.2010 Customs officers seize observation guidelines

On 26 November, Ashamiany customs officers seized 115 copies of guidelines for long-term observers from representatives of the ‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’ campaign Uladzimir Labkovich and Zmitser Salauyiou, as they were returning from Vilnius, Lithuania.

25.11.2010 HR defender Stefanovich demands to prosecute participants of pro-Lukashenka auto rally

Human rights activist Valiantsin Stefanovich addressed the Central Election Commission with a statement, calling for prosecution of participants of pro-Lukashenka canvassing auto rally, reportedly arranged by foreign nationals.

25.11.2010 Sannikau’s Baranavichy election agent warned

On 24 November Tatsiana Latyshava, chair of Baranavichy territorial election commission, issued an oral warning to Viktar Meziak, election agent of Andrei Sannikau, for submitting an incorrect application for holding a canvassing picket, as well as for arranging a picket in an unauthorized place on 23 November.

25.11.2010 Viasna’s statement on detention conditions of businessman Bandarenka

Member of the National Committee of the United Civic Party, candidate for Parliament during the 2008 election Andrei Bandarenka is serving a sentence in Babruisk penal colony, where he has been repeatedly subject to harassment by the colony’s administration, including repeated ungrounded incarceration, disciplinary sanctions, refusals of medical aid.

25.11.2010 Niakliayeu’s team charged with violations

According to Piotr Mihurski, Uladzimir Niskliayeu’s election agent, the candidate’s campaign team has been charged with violating the election legislation while holding pickets in the town of Shklou on 24 and 25 November.

25.11.2010 Barys Hamaida detained by riot police in Vitsebsk

The opposition activist from Vitsebsk campaigned for boycott of the election, reports Radio Liberty. He came out with a poster "No real election with legitimate outcome is possible without legitimate Constitution".