The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for February 2011

24.02.2011 Russian Solidarnost demands to release Gaponov and Breus

The Solidarnost Russian liberal democratic political movement has released a petition demanding release of Ivan Gaponov and Artyom Breus, together with all the detainees in the 19 December criminal case.

23.02.2011 Stefanovich demands consideration on the merits of his appeal

Human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich keeps appealing the illegal actions by the police during the search at Viasna’s office on 20 December, when his personal property was seized.

23.02.2011 Detainee’s mother appeals detention conditions of her son

Mrs. Klaudziya Bulanava, mother of Dzmitry Bulanau, accused of participation in the 19 December mass riots, has lodged another appeal to the General Prosecutor’s Office, complaining about inhuman detention conditions at Minsk pre-trial prison #1 in Valadarski Street.

23.02.2011 Trial of Artyom Breus and Ivan Gaponov. Day 1. Analysis

On 22 February 2011 Minsk Maskouski Court began the consideration of the criminal case under Par. 2 Art. 293 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (“mass riot”) against two Russian nationals Ivan Gaponov and Artyom Breus. The court session was chaired by Judge Mrs. Liubou Siamakhina with the participation of state attorney, deputy chair of Minsk Maskouski Prosecutor’s Office Siarhei Kunas.

23.02.2011 ODIHR publishes final report on Belarus presidential election

The 19 December presidential election in Belarus was marked by a lack of independence and impartiality of the election administration, an uneven playing field and a restrictive media environment, as well as a lack of transparency at key stages of the electoral process, concludes ODIHR’s final report published on 22 February.

22.02.2011 UN human rights chief concerned over first sentence in riot case

Navi Pillay, UN high commissioner for human rights, on Monday expressed deep concern at what she described as a harsh sentence handed down to Belarusian opposition activist Vasil Parfiankou, BelaPAN said.

22.02.2011 Minsk law enforcement agencies looking for “zmagarka” Tatstsyana Yalavaya

Policemen have informed that she is wanted as a witness in the criminal case on mass disorders of Dec.19.

Belarusian HR defenders submit additional data on harassment of advocates to UN Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers

22.02.2011 Belarusian HR defenders submit additional data on harassment of advocates to UN Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers

Belarusian human rights defenders have submitted additional information on harassment of lawyers to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Ms. Gabriela Knaul.

21.02.2011 Ales Mikhalevich released on recognizance

According to Ales, he was released under the condition that he should give no comments. He didn't answer the question on the circumstances of his release.

21.02.2011 Human rights defenders arrange payment of damage claim entered by Presidential Administration

On 21 February, Viasna’s deputy chair Valiantsin Stefanovich, leader of the Foundation for Legal Technologies Development Alena Tankachova and deputy chair of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Andrei Bastunets, acting on behalf of Belarusian citizens, paid the material damage, brought by the Presidential Administration against the defendants in the 19 December mass riot criminal case.

21.02.2011 International Observation Mission calls for open trials

On 21 February the International Observation Mission released a statement, urging the Belarusian authorities, in particular the Supreme Court, together with separate courts, to secure free access of the Mission’s observers to courtrooms during the trials of the detainees in the 19 December mass riot criminal case.

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel urges the Ministry of Justice and the Belarus Republican Bar Association "to vacate their current punitive actions towards lawyers"

21.02.2011 Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel urges the Ministry of Justice and the Belarus Republican Bar Association "to vacate their current punitive actions towards lawyers"

Roger Kiska, legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, a legal alliance of more than 1700 lawyers dedicated to the protection of religious freedom internationally, has addressed the Belarusian Ministry of Justice and the Republican Bar Association with a statement, expressing his concern "with the existing treatment of lawyers who are currently defending individuals, particularly from opposition parties, who were imprisoned as a result of post-election peaceful demonstrations."

21.02.2011 FIDH: Vice-President and President of Human Rights Center Viasna was issued a warning for his human rights activities

Paris, February 18 – On Wednesday February 16, the Public Prosecutor's office issued a warning to Aliaksandr Bialatski, FIDH Vice-President and President of Human Rights Center Viasna for conducting activities through a non-registered organisation.

Belarusian human rights defenders inform UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers about facts of pressure on lawyers

18.02.2011 Belarusian human rights defenders inform UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers about facts of pressure on lawyers

We, the undersigned human rights organizations of the Republic of Belarus and individual human rights defenders in personal capacity, would like to inform you about facts of pressure on lawyers by the executive authorities of Belarus, particularly, the withdrawal of licenses imposed on lawyers Uladzimir TOUSTSIK, Tamara HARAYEVA, Aleh AHEYEU and Tatsiana AHEYEVA, something threatening an access of their clients to an effective remedy and retarding the course of justice.