The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for November 2010

22.11.2010 Salihorsk residents demand deregistration of Lukashenka’s candidacy

A number of Salihorsk residents have submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court, demanding revocation of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s registration as a presidential candidate. The claimants argue that Lukashenka’s registration is ‘illegal and runs counter to the Belarusian Constitution and subordinate legal acts.’

22.11.2010 Tax department to inspect HR activist Stefanovich

On 17 November, lawyer of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Valiantsin Stefanovich received a demand to submit an income and property declaration to the Belarusian Tax Ministry. The activist is expected to provide the papers by November 30, despite the fact he has already submitted a declaration in March 2010.

19.11.2010 Hrodna prosecutor’s office puts pressure on youth leader

Ales Kirkevich, deputy chair of the Young Front unregistered youth movement and activist of Vital Rymasheuski’s campaign team, has been summoned to Hrodna prosecutor’s office. During a conversation with Volha Kleshchanka, assistant to prosecutor of Hrodna region, the activist was told that he had been summoned to the prosecuting authorities following a complaint lodged by the mother of another activist, who had been allegedly forced to participate in an unregistered organization by Kirkevich.

19.11.2010 BAJ suggests PACE to conduct hearings on freedom of media in Belarus

The representative of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Andrej Aliaksandrau suggested to conduct special hearings dedicated to freedom of media in Belarus, during the session of the PACE Political Affairs Committee on November 18.

19.11.2010 ‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’: there are no changes on essential issues

On 19 November, representatives of the ‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’ election observation campaign Aleh Hulak and Valiantsin Stefanovich held a press-conference, stating that the results of nomination and registration of presidential candidates are very disputable.

19.11.2010 Maladechna: state-run media keep canvassing for Lukashenka

Maladechna state-run newspapers have been engaged in indirect propaganda in favour of the current President, paying too little attention to covering the election progress, say local observers.

19.11.2010 Minsk Court turns down complaint against picket ban

Minsk Maskouski Court has dismissed a complaint against a ban on holding a picket imposed by the city executive committee. The picket’s objective was to draw public attention to mass violations of criminal and procedural legislation, including groundless detentions of civil activists in early September 2010.

19.11.2010 Orsha canvassing venues extremely unfavourable

Orsha town executive committee has issued decision #1710, enumerating the list of authorized canvassing locations for presidential candidates. There are 14 authorized venues, in total. Most of them are unpopular places on the outskirts of the town.

18.11.2010 Salihorsk HR defenders appeal decision by local authorities

A number of Salihorsk human rights activists have submitted a complaint to the Central Election Commission against a decision by local executive authorities, severely restricting the number of authorized canvassing locations.

18.11.2010 Sannikau’s campaign team appeal canvassing restrictions

Ryhor Kryvitski, Mazyr activist of Andrei Sannikau’s campaign team, has lodged a complaint with the Central Election Committee and Mazyr district executive committee, arguing that the decision by local authorities on canvassing procedures violates the Electoral Code, since it considerably restrains opportunities for maintaining an efficient political campaign in the district.

18.11.2010 OSCE mission meets Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections activists

On 17 November, representatives of the OSCE election observation mission to Belarus Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, Boris Dyakonov and Aijana Bekkulieva met with the activists of the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections civil campaign Aleh Hulak, Valiantsin Stefanovich, Hary Pahaniayla, Dzmitry Charnykh and Uladzimir Shcherbau.

18.11.2010 List of authorized canvassing locations violates candidates’ rights, says Brest HR activist

According to Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak, the list of authorized canvassing venues in the city severely restrains the rights of Presidential candidates.

17.11.2010 Official results of signature verification doubtful, say HR defenders

On 12 November, the official web-site of Minsk city executive committee informed that the members of Minsk city election commission had assessed the accuracy of signature verification results. However, it turned out that the decision was not unanimous.

17.11.2010 Babruisk state-run newspaper engaged in pro-Lukashenka propaganda

The Babruiskaye Zhytssio state-owned newspaper has published an article, featuring pro-Lukashenka propaganda, despite prohibition of election canvassing before official registration of candidates.

17.11.2010 Pinsk officials dodge issuing canvassing regulations

Pinsk town authorities have not yet issued canvassing regulations, despite the forthcoming day of candidates’ registration. At the same time, they should have been specified authorized canvassing locations by 12 November.